First giant otter cub born in the Netherlands at AquaZoo

A special first for AquaZoo: for the first time a giant otter cub has been born in a Dutch zoo. The cub was welcomed last week by the parent pair who have been living together at the park since last year. This birth is important for the conservation of the critically endangered species.

William Kreijkes, head of animal care at AquaZoo, comments, "After the arrival of the female giant otter, in November of last year, we quickly saw that she got along well with the male already in the park. That this now results in a young is exactly what we were hoping for."

Taking some getting used to

For both giant otters, this is their first litter. Especially the mother reacted somewhat uncomfortably in the first week, but now she seems to find more peace. The animals regularly lay with the three of them in the specially built nesting area. This is equipped with two cameras, so the caretakers can closely follow the animals without disturbing them.

The first weeks are crucial for the young giant otters, who still spend a lot of time in the nesting area. Kreijkes: "We leave them alone as much as possible, so they can get used to it properly. But everything indicates that things are going well. With a little luck, visitors can sometimes already catch a glimpse of the little one."

Endangered in the wild

AquaZoo is the only Dutch zoo where giant otters can be seen. In the wild they live in South America, but the species is in a bad way. It is estimated that only about five thousand are still alive worldwide. The population is declining due to poaching, loss of habitat and water pollution. European zoos are therefore working together within a management program to maintain a genetically healthy population.

AquaZoo, which began as an otter park in 1994, has been playing an active role in protecting otters for many years. For example, the park recently cooperated in a transmitter study, which indirectly contributed to an international reintroduction program of the giant otter in Argentina.

General manager Jeroen Loomeijer: "We like to contribute to the preservation of the species within European zoos. In addition, it would be very nice to be able to release giant otters in Argentina in the future. The birth of this cub is a promising step in that direction."