Sunday, February 9, 2025

Fort Fisher Aquarium parts with otter family

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher plans to say goodbye to a beloved otter family at the end of January. (Courtesy NC Aquarium)

FORT FISHER — The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher plans to say goodbye to a beloved otter family at the end of January. Six otters will be relocated to their new home at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. 

Since their arrival, the family of Asian small-clawed otters became a cherished part of the community, as parents Leia and Quincy gave birth to two litters within one year. The aquarium will be hosting a goodbye party for the otter family on Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. at the Otters on Edge habitat.

The aquarium also will introduce two new otters moving into the Otters on the Edge habitat. Milli, a 6-year-old female, and Binx, a 4-year-old male, will soon be the new faces of the otter exhibit.

“They are the first animals that visitors will see when they step into the Aquarium and their mischievous antics create an instant connection,” the aquarium director, Joanna Zazzali, stated. “It’s so rewarding for our staff and volunteers to share their story with the community and inspire individual action to save them.”

The Asian small-clawed otter is a vulnerable species as their population continues to decline due to threats of deforestation, pollution, poaching and more. The N.C. Aquarium has made it one of their missions to save the species. 

“Welcoming Milli and Binx to the otter program at the Aquarium is very important to our mission and no doubt they will also capture the hearts of the community,” lead otter keeper Shannon Anderson stated. “As with Leia and Quincy, we are focusing our daily work on the long-term goals of saving this species.”

To attend the Farwell Furry Friends party, reserve tickets for the aquarium here.


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Shea Carver
Shea Carver
Shea Carver is the editor in chief at Port City Daily. A UNCW alumna, Shea worked in the print media business in Wilmington for 22 years before joining the PCD team in October 2020. She specializes in arts coverage — music, film, literature, theatre — the dining scene, and can often be tapped on where to go, what to do and who to see in Wilmington. When she isn’t hanging with her pup, Shadow Wolf, tending the garden or spinning vinyl, she’s attending concerts and live theater.

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