Otter cubs’ arrival a boost for wildlife centre’s breeding plan
UNCERTAINTY OVER PLANS FOR CITY ROUNDABOUT
WASHINGTON Wetland Centre has welcomed four tiny otters as their newest residents.
The Asian short-clawed otter cubs were born earlier this month and their keepers are feeling positive after their first health check yesterday morning.
Born to parents Mimi and Musa, the quads are reportedly doing “extremely well” after 13 days of rest and nurturing from their parents.
It’s a positive step for conservationists as the species is vulnerable to extinction, and is part of the European Endangered Species Breeding Program.
In partnership with the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, the centre is involved in breeding programmes which aim tp conserve healthy populations of animals in captivity while safeguarding the genetic health of the animals under care.
These programs act to provide a future for some of the world’s most vulnerable species and promote the protection of natural habitats and change destructive behaviours.
A previous cub born at the site, Ruby, has been transferred to another site to start a family of her own and continue the future of the species.
Jason Palmer from New Forest Wildlife Park is in charge of monitoring the species nationwide.
He said: “It’s becoming vitally important for us all to manage our species well and make sure we’re breeding correctly to maintain genetically healthy populations.
“Asian short-clawed otters are classed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with a rapidly decreasing wild population in many parts of its range.
“With the new baby otters born at Washington Wetland Centre and Ruby’s move, we can start to manage the population in a much more structured way.
“With organisations such as WWT and other zoos breeding and transferring responsibly, it will start to make a big difference to the captive wellbeing of all Asian short-clawed otters, securing a good healthy population for the future.”
Gill Pipes, centre manager at Washington Wetland Centre, said: “The otters here at our centre, including the four new arrivals, are especially good genetically, which is great news for the species.
“Ruby is the first of Mimi and Musa’s offspring to make the move from WWT Washington so we’ll be keen to share how she gets on via Facebook and Twitter.” Reporter