Wednesday 30 May is World Otter Day, a day to raise awareness about the plight of the Otter species due to illegal wildlife trade and loss of habitat.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is home to the Asian Small-clawed Otters species which are found from parts of India, throughout south-east Asia and up into southern China.  This species is highly adaptable and found in a large range of habitats in the wild, their populations are heavily impacted by the loss of habitat due to human encroachment, degradation of habitat by pollution, illegal logging and illegal poaching for furs. Asian Small-clawed Otters are listed as vulnerable.

Taronga supports a range of projects throughout Asia that protect animals and their habitat. Protecting native habitat aids in the preservation of many species in this area including otters.

Our Otter group expanded by one in February with the birth of a male pup, named Tomio meaning treasured son. Tomio has continued to develop and thrive with the help of his mother, Emiko and his two older sisters, Misumi and Jafar. Tomio, weighed less than 100gms at birth and is now over 1kg and growing quickly. By the time he is two years old he will weigh approximately 3.5 kgs!

By Keeper, Ian Anderson