KURE BEACH, N.C. (NCN News) – A special rite of passage is taking place Wednesday (March 11) for three otters at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
Nyx, Baloo and Bodhi will have an opportunity to take the splash into the big pool at the NC at Otters on the Edge. It’s a unique rite of passage for these Asian small-clawed otter pups and one that the community can join in on alongside staff and volunteers. The pups, now three months old, met the milestones of swimming, climbing and eating solid foods.
“The pups are doing very well and are ready to navigate the public habitat which includes a pool,” said Kristen Upton, lead otter keeper, NCAFF. “We give them a choice, along with their parents to explore the larger area and the water.”
The family of five and neighbor, Otter Ray are an important conservation initiative for the Aquarium which is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The pups share very special genetics. Here are some things that make them one-of-a-kind and promising additions to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® program for Asian small-clawed otters.
- Their grandparents, Si and Fun, were born in the wild.
- The Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department confiscated Si and Fun in 2018 and sent them to Ocean Park Hong Kong under the professional care of animal experts there.
- Milli was born at Ocean Park in Hong Kong in 2018 and arrived at NCAFF in Jan. 2024. Binx arrived at the Aquarium in the fall 2024 as her mate, also from an AZA facility.
- These pups represent the successful introduction of new genetics into the SSP® population allowing for an increase of genetic diversity to continue to support a healthy ex situ species population.
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is just south of Kure Beach.