KURE BEACH — The newest otter pups at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher are ready to make their public debut.
Three Asian small-clawed otters were born Jan. 31 and have reached two important milestones. The pups have explored shallow water and eaten solid foods.
The aquarium otter staff is working to baby proof the public habitat, Otters on the Edge, to present Gemma, Kai and Ren to the public Tuesday at 9 a.m. Staff warns visitors to the aquarium that the pups may choose to stay behind-the-scenes or protective parents may decide to keep them back.
“These pups have had excellent guidance from their three older siblings and parents, and we are looking forward to seeing the family of eight emerge for visitors to watch them play and splash in the habitat pool,” NCAFF otter keeper Shannon Anderson said in a press release.
The three pups have three older siblings, Stella, Mae and Selene, who were born May 21, 2022. Parents Leia and Quincy have been teaching the pups skills to succeed and have proven to be attentive parents, according to the aquarium release.
Quincy has been introducing the youngest three to shallow water in a tub in the otter’s behind-the-scenes den. The family has also begun sharing shrimp, clams and smelt with the babies.
“The popularity of these pups has given us a unique opportunity to tell the story of how vulnerable this species is in their native habitat and through them, inspiring individual action to protect them,” NCAFF director Hap Fatzinger said in a release. “We hope the family is ready to emerge and we look forward to visitors having an opportunity to see them frolicking in Otters on the Edge.”
The pups are part of a vulnerable species of otters, declining in population globally. They are native to Indonesia, southern China, Southeast Asia and the Philippines. They face threats from residential and commercial development, deforestation, the illegal pet trade, pollution, climate change and poaching.
Tickets are required for visiting the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, located at 900 Loggerhead Road in Kure Beach. Follow more about the Fort Fisher otter pups on Facebook and Instagram.
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