L. provocax occurs in Argentine and Chilean Patagonian region, between 36°S and 52°S latitude (Chehebar et al. 1986). In Chile, the southern river otter is found from Mahuidanche river (39°S) in the province of Colchagua to the Strait of Magallanes. L. provocax once had an extensive distribution from the Cauquenes and Cachapoal Rivers to the Magellan region in Chile. Currently, the distribution of L. provocax is limited by habitat degradation and human disturbance (Medina 1996). In Argentina, the southern river otter is present along the Andes from the southern part of the province of Neuquen down to Tierra del Fuego (Cabrera 1957; Redford and Eisenberg 1992).