For the second time in less than a year, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) is celebrating the arrival of a trio of Asian small-clawed otter pups. Born on January 31, the pups are bonding with their parents, Leia and Quincy, and siblings Stella, Mae, and Selene, behind the scenes at the NCAFF Otters on the Edge habitat.
The arrival of the pups represents continued success in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan®(SSP) Program. Asian small-clawed otters are a vulnerable species in their native habitats, which include Indonesia, southern China, southern India, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines.
The otter pups are in their early developmental stages and the otter team will confirm their gender in the coming days. In the meantime, the veterinary and otter teams will monitor the new pups in a hands-off approach as much as possible to provide space for Leia and Quincy to bond with them and succeed as parents. The new pups will not be in public view until they reach important milestones, including swimming proficiently and eating solid foods.
The aquarium is closed until February 4 but visitors can reserve their tickets in advance at NCAFF Admissions. The plan is for the growing otter family to remain behind the scenes for now, and Asta and Ray will go back into the larger habitat soon. The aquarium is located just south of Kure Beach, a short drive from Wilmington, on U.S. 421.
