Giant otter exhibit, 2019-10-05

Was it built for Giant Otters or did it perhaps once hold Asian Small-clawed Otters?

@Ituri I don't know what it was originally built for actually, I can't remember it housing anything else than giant otters, except for some waterfowl temporarily housed here in the beginning.

That said, Asian small-clawed otters (currently housed with one of the Sumatran orangutan groups at Pairi Daiza) or Eurasian otters would definitely be more suitable for this exhibit. Or even waterfowl again could also work.

@Ituri It was originally built for Chinese Aligators. The Giant Otters are a "temporary" addition that has been in this inappropriate enclosure for 6 years now. Within 5 years they should move out once the new dome is finished...

The last otter is moving out now to another zoo, as the other one died. Truly a horrific exhibit indeed for this species.

@Jarne That is a good thing, this enclosure definitely did not suit giant otters well.

As Lintworm said above it was originally intended for Chinese alligator, but Pairi Daiza has already built another exhibit for that species.

I believe this exhibit once also housed some waterfowl and I kind of think they should consider doing so again once the otter has moved. If you add some netting this exhibit could be a pretty nice exhibit for some (diving) ducks I think.

@KevinB That could be a possibility

This exhibit now houses Smooth-coated otters. Barely any better than giant otters.