Marwell Zoo welcomes new otter breeding pair from London Zoo and Woburn Safari Park
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Two otters arrive at zoo
Marwell Zoo has welcomed a new breeding pair of Asian short-clawed otters in the hope the duo could soon welcome tiny paws of their own.
Male otter, Rizzo, has come from London Zoo while female Thien Than has arrived from Woburn Safari Park. The pair have been carefully introduced and settled into their new surroundings, quickly showing the inquisitive and energetic personalities that make Asian short-clawed otters such engaging animals to watch.
The otters were identified through an international database that ensures genetic diversity for healthy and sustainable breeding programmes.
Animal team leader for carnivores Carrie Arnold said: “Rizzo and Thien Than have settled in really well. They are both confident, curious otters with plenty of personality and clearly getting on well with each other.
“We’ve seen behaviours that make us hopeful they may have started breeding, but at this stage we’re taking a very relaxed approach and allowing them plenty of time and space. We’re keeping everything crossed that there will be pups on the horizon.”
Keepers have already observed behaviours that suggest they may have started breeding, although it is still early days and the team will be monitoring the pair closely for further signs.
Asian short-clawed otters are the smallest of the world’s otter species and are native to parts of South and Southeast Asia. They are highly social animals and spend much of their time interacting with one another, exploring their surroundings and using their remarkably dexterous front paws to investigate food and objects.
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The species is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species with habitat loss, pollution and other pressures contributing to declines in wild populations. Conservation breeding programmes in zoos play an important role in maintaining healthy populations and developing knowledge that can support wider conservation efforts.
Carrie added: “We’re hoping they’ll continue to thrive as a pair. For now, we’re enjoying watching them settle in, and if they do have pups, it will be a wonderful moment for our team and our visitors.”