Adorable times three: NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher welcomes otter pups
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher recently welcomed three new additions with the birth of a litter of otter pups.
Three female Asian small-clawed otter pups were born at the aquarium on May 21. According to aquarium staff, all three of the pups are doing well. Each is currently about the size of a kitten.
Shannon Anderson, the aquarium's primary otter keeper and one of three caring for the otters, said it is likely that the pups, as well as their parents, will remain in their nest behind the scenes for most of the summer.
“Our goal is to make sure we have these conversations with our vet team and as soon as they deem them healthy, mobile, eating on their own, being able to navigate getting out of pools, etcetera, we’ll definitely be doing another great press release with enough time and notification so everyone knows when to expect them,” Anderson said.
Until they have entered their habitat, the public can follow the pups’ journey on the aquarium's social media platforms.
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The aquarium also is exploring ways that the community could help name the pups.
“We have definitely discussed how can we get our community involved, because I think that not just internally are all very excited about pups, but we’re hoping that our community of course is too, and so we want them to feel that they’re part of their journey along the way,” Anderson said.
She added that the aquarium is trying to share as much as possible with the community, while still being respectful of the animals.
“Typically with Asian small-clawed otters, you don’t do a press release until they’re about 30 days old, because a lot of things could happen when they’re that young and fragile, but we really wanted to be very open about this whole experience and for our community to follow along as we go,” Anderson said.
Wednesday was the first day that the aquarium's veterinary staff was able to work directly with the pups. Veterinarians examined them in only five minutes to reduce their time separated from their protective parents.
Aquarists are encouraged by the behavior of both parents, particularly the mother, Leia. It is not uncommon for otters to struggle with their first litter of pups.
“We’re very proud of her, and we’re very fortunate that both of them just kind of had this great instinct and are very attentive to the little pups,” Anderson said.
Anderson previously worked with the father of the pups, Quincy, during her time at the Greensboro Science Center. Initially working with him around his first birthday, she said it has been incredible to watch him enter a new stage of life.
“To just kind of see him turning into his dad is just really funny,” Anderson said.
Otters at the aquarium are part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan program, an effort that aims to ensure the survival of species whose populations are dwindling in the wild. Through the SSP program, the aquarium partners with the Hong Kong Zoo, in case the opportunity for a habitat reintroduction program arises in the future.
Other additions coming to the aquarium include a Caribbean coral habitat, which is set to open in 2022. Plans for two new habitats, dedicated to the rescue of injured screech owls and the Atlantic sea nettle respectively, are also in development.
Kate Marijolovic is an intern at the StarNews. You can reach her at kmarijolovic@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Fort Fisher aquarium welcomes baby otters
