Jacksonville Zoo celebrates birth of endangered river otter pups

Jacksonville, Fla. — Three baby otters have made their debut at the Jacksonville Zoo!

The otter pups, two females and one male, were born last October.

Their births marks the second litter of the endangered species to be born at the Zoo in its history.

You may be thinking, “Why is the Zoo only now making this announcement? It’s been 5 months!”.

Excellent question.

The Zoo says the first few months after birth are a uniquely critical time for vulnerable otter pups, so staff have been monitoring the family behind the scenes.

The parents are 9-year-old Sarave, who came to the Zoo in 2018 from Zoo Miami, and 13-year-old Buddy, who arrived in 2011 as a rehabilitated animal from Guyana.

The zoo says Buddy is blind and the most genetically-valuable animal of the Giant Otter Species Survival Plan (SSP) in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

“Buddy’s second litter with Sarave is a huge success for the captive population. We were elated to celebrate the first pups and now we are even more excited to welcome their siblings. This is not only Buddy’s and Sarave’s success story, but a win for conservation of this endangered species as we strive to maintain a healthy, and diverse population,” said Dan Maloney, Deputy Zoo Director for Animal Care, Conservation and Wellness.

Giant otters are endangered and the rarest mammal on the South American continent, facing threats from hunting and habitat loss.

The pups are now visible in the Emerald Forest Aviary within Range of the Jaguar with their one-year-old siblings, Aiden, Eleanor, Olivia, and Coker.

Tickets at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens must be purchased online, in advance at JacksonvilleZoo.org.

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Baby Otters Jacksonville Zoo celebrates birth of three endangered otter pups (John Reed)

Giant River Otter pups and family

Cox Media Group