The southern river otter's distribution has been significantly reduced due to over-hunting and habitat alteration.
Lutra provocax inhabits freshwater environments with dense vegetation covering the shoreline. The Southern River Otter lives in the southwestern area of Chile and Argentina. They are rare. They have been positively identified by a local biologist in the Manu Reserve in Peru, and may also live in other areas of the Amazon basin.
Lutra provocax is considered as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN Red List.