NEW HANOVER COUNTY — The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is invited to vote on their favorite names for the 2025 Asian small-clawed otter pups.
The pups were born during a full moon on Dec. 5, 2025. They are all males, descended from Si and Fun, two otters from Hong Kong along with their mother, Milli. The Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department confiscated Si and Fun in 2018 and sent them to Ocean Park Hong Kong under the professional care of animal experts there.
The aquarium says Otter #1 is the smallest and quietest and usually has a grumpy face. Otter #2 is chunky and the quickest to develop; he is also the loudest and most agile. Otter #3 is the longest and is described as sweet with freckles on his nose.
There are three name groupings the public can choose from.
Option 1
- Koshi (river in Nepal/China)
- Bheri (river in Nepal)
- Seti (river in Nepal)
Option 2
- Bo (Cantonese for wave)
- Eddy (small whirlpool where otters swim)
- Reed (marsh plants where otters live)
Option 3
- Nyx (shortened form of Aonyx – genus of ASCOs)
- Baloo (bear in Hindi, a large mammal)
- Bodhi (a fig tree native to India and Southeast Asia, regarded as sacred by Buddhists)
Those who wish to vote can do so online or in-person at the aquarium. The deadline is Feb. 19 at noon.
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