Belfast Zoo Belfast's mystery new mammal arrives nexy week!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Al
  • Start date Start date
It is Smooth-coated Otters. Hardly exciting and shown in several zoos outside Asia !!

According to Al, the mystery species is only present in one zoo outside of Asia so that would rule out smooth-coated otters if they are "shown in several zoos outside Asia".
 
and smooth coated otters ^^

Sorry, I obviously did not make myself very clear. What I meant was, I don't think many zoos will want to get involved with smooth-coated otters (despite the fact RSCC have imported them) as Giant Otters (which arrived recently) would make a better exhibit. As such, I don't think the mystery mammal will be smooth-coated otter, although I could of course be proved wrong.
 
Haha, you're colliding worlds there Mr Sax- Oh, same name here too. I haven't been going there as often recentley, should try and fix that seeing as I'm on staff!

Anyway, so as to stop confusing everyone else, I stand by my original guess of Grizzles. :)
 
It is Smooth-coated Otters. Hardly exciting and shown in several zoos outside Asia !!
Can you please name them because I only know of RSCC having them outside of Asia as all the other collections that I`m aware of are all in Asia.
 
Can you please name them because I only know of RSCC having them outside of Asia as all the other collections that I`m aware of are all in Asia.

Would I be right in guessing that as you have not said this is incorrect, the otters are indeed the mystery mammal? I suppose that proves me wrong!
 
I know of a private collector in Europe with an individual. I have been told there are also some in private collections in the Middle East.
 
Are they that rare though?


Not at all. They are locally very abundant.

While there is nothing wrong with a zoo wanting a few captive rarities, however I really disagree with this import.
There is no and will be no EEP for this Species.
The Giant Otter can still be considered a rarity in captivity, it's endangered in its wild state and also makes a superb display species and as successfull captive breeding continues (in the USA, Germany and its range countires) will require more space.

Its a shame belfast didnt invest time and money in the CRITICALLY ENDANGERED Hairy Nosed Otter. I know of three captive specimens that would make a good foundation for a captive breeding program.
 
maybe they are working with Howletts to import more Grizzled leaf monkeys.

Smooth-coated otters aren't that rare, indeed they are classed as vulnerable?
 
Back
Top