Otters to rip into jelly treats for special day
Delicious jelly treats await the otters at Auckland Zoo today as the world observes World Otter Day.
There are 13 otter species, 12 of which are disappearing, with seven of those classified as vulnerable and five as endangered.
Auckland Zoo is home to four Asian small-clawed otter brothers, described by carnivores team leader Lauren Booth as “playful and beautiful”.
“Otters are just the best animals in the world . . . everything about them is just so wonderful,” she said.
“They are very social, and no matter how old they get, play is very
important and they are very supportive of each other and band together when there’s a threat bigger than themselves.”
Booth says there’s a lot we could learn from them, that “we should keep playful but look out for your mates, stick together as you can achieve a lot”.
The four brothers range between 3 and 4 years old, and come from three different litters born at the zoo.
Asian small-clawed otters spend more time on land than other species and can often be found sunbathing, resting or grooming.
They are normally fed by keepers
scattering shrimp, crabs, squid and mussels around the enclosure, but will be in for a special treat today.
“We’ve been making them some jellies, sugar-free, with all their special treats inside of them,” Booth said.
“The jellies will be a different sensation for their hands, they will have to manipulate it, rip them apart like they would with their food in the wild to find their little treats inside.”
World Otter Day was founded by The International Otter Survival Fund, and is aimed at raising awareness of the dangers otters face and educating people on how to protect their habitats.