Australasian Asian Small-clawed Otter Population

[Zoofan15]

I thought that was the case as I was fairly sure it was Odie and Paula breeding. Hopefully new babies soon (although I imagine Paula may be a tad too old now) .

With Perth sending their girls over to Halls Gap, it may also be possible that Squid was sent to there to form a breeding pair with one of the remaining males.

I’d discounted the Perth bred males as options as their mother is a littermate of Paula, but their father Cerdik is a possibility.

Irregardless of what pairing is made, I think Perth is a likely destination as we know they have the capacity to manage two breeding groups. Many of the other holders have a single exhibit.

After producing six litters at Auckland Zoo, Jaya (1990) transferred with her mate to Wellington Zoo in 2002, where they were planning to breed from her (the male died shortly after), so it may still be possible to breed from Paula at this age.

 

[Zoofan15]

New/returning holder:

As reported on their socials, Tasmania Zoo now hold Asian small-clawed otter, with the arrival of a non-breeding group.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

After having done pretty much all the behind the scenes, animal encounters at Melbourne Zoo, the Asian Small clawed otters were hands down the best!!!

 

[Zoofan15]

After having done pretty much all the behind the scenes, animal encounters at Melbourne Zoo, the Asian Small clawed otters were hands down the best!!!

I can imagine. They’re such curious, engaging animals. They can deliver a hard bite though. Keepers at Auckland Zoo said Jaya (1990) was particularly notorious.

 

[Jambo]

New/returning holder:

As reported on their socials, Tasmania Zoo now hold Asian small-clawed otter, with the arrival of a non-breeding group.

Any presumptions as to where from? Looking at the population list, I think it's doubtful they've come from within the region - unless we've lost a holder.

 

[Zoofan15]

Any presumptions as to where from? Looking at the population list, I think it's doubtful they've come from within the region - unless we've lost a holder.

It’s possible they were imported from outside the region. The video shows four otters (implying a same sex non breeding group) and the only way that could have been achieved is if Melbourne or Perth had a mass clear out of all their males.

Perth have previously been proactive in importing from overseas; and I’m not sure we can rule out some otters coming on the same boat from Singapore as Melbourne’s Binturong.

 

[Riley]

Any presumptions as to where from? Looking at the population list, I think it's doubtful they've come from within the region - unless we've lost a holder.

These 4 girls were imported from Singapore Zoo

 

[Jambo]

These 4 girls were imported from Singapore Zoo

Thanks! That was the facility I had in mind as the regions previously imported quite a few otters from over there.

 

[Zoofan15]

These 4 girls were imported from Singapore Zoo

Thanks! That was the facility I had in mind as the regions previously imported quite a few otters from over there.

Thanks for that @Riley. It’s great to have more founders in the region (the first in four years), even if they are in a non breeding group at present.

The region’s last two imports (Harry and Odie) were from Singapore; and prior to that we had several otters imported 2011 from Germany, the US and the UK.

 

[Zoofan15]

Auckland Zoo Update

A volunteer confirmed Arif the Asian-small clawed otter died earlier this year. His death leaves the zoo with four brothers (Budi, Agus, Hendra and Ika).

1.0 Budi (2019) Kanan x Takumi
1.0 Agus (2020) Kanan x Takumi
1.0 Hendra (2020) Kanan x Takumi
1.0 Ika (2020) Kanan x Takumi

 

[Zoofan15]

Otter Updates

Some updates before I post the 2024 population list:

0.1 Rani (2019) has died at Brooklands Zoo.

1.0 Yash (2013) has died at Butterfly Creek.

0.1 Squid (2020) has transferred from Melbourne Zoo to Gorge Wildlife Park. She will be sent to Perth Zoo this year for breeding.

 

[Jambo]

Otter Updates

Some updates before I post the 2024 population list:

0.1 Rani (2019) has died at Brooklands Zoo.

1.0 Yash (2013) has died at Butterfly Creek.

0.1 Squid (2020) has transferred from Melbourne Zoo to Gorge Wildlife Park. She will be sent to Perth Zoo this year for breeding.

I imagine the intention is to pair Squid with the older male at Perth (Cerdik). It would make sense as Cerdik’s four sons could then easily be transferred to another facility as a bachelor group.

 

[Zoofan15]

I imagine the intention is to pair Squid with the older male at Perth (Cerdik). It would make sense as Cerdik’s four sons could then easily be transferred to another facility as a bachelor group.

That’s what I assume. Cerdick is unrelated to Squid versus his sons, which are related via their respective mothers (Paula and Paddy).

Perth have managed two groupings before, so they could either maintain Cerdik and his sons in one group (with Squid and a new male in another); or to they could pair Cerdik and Squid (with his sons in a second group). The sons would be surplus either way though, so ideal candidates for replacing older non-breeding groups within the region as and when they pass.

 

[Swanson02]

Little update from a mate of mine who works at Gorge Wildlife Park

• Gorge Wildlife Park are receiving 4 male otters from WA
• The coati are still alive
• Plans to build a Nocturnal house for aus natives
• Gorge is phasing out serval in favour of of a breeding pair of Caracals

 

[Zoofan15]

Little update from a mate of mine who works at Gorge Wildlife Park

• Gorge Wildlife Park are receiving 4 male otters from WA
• The coati are still alive
• Plans to build a Nocturnal house for aus natives
• Gorge is phasing out serval in favour of of a breeding pair of Caracals

Thank you for that note @Swanson02. I’ve been making enquiries this week with regards to updating this thread and had indeed heard about the four male otters coming to Gorge. They’re coming from Perth Zoo and are as follows:

1.0 Sawatdi (2019) Cerdik x Paddy
1.0 Amir (2020) Cerdik x Paddy
1.0 Tom (2020) Cerdik x Paddy
1.0 Ulani (2020) Cerdik x Paddy

Gorge’s older females are now deceased.

Squid has left Gorge and is now at Perth Zoo. Her intended mate is Saati from Taronga Zoo, implying Cerdik is now deceased.

 

[Zoofan15]

A couple more updates:

Cerdic is alive and well. He will be transferring to Gorge Wildlife Park shortly with his four sons (Gorge are receiving five males, not four).

Anng has been transferred from Taronga Western Plains Zoo to Taronga Zoo to pair with Bel (thanks to @Abbey for this update):

1.0 Anng (2019) Harry x Jafar
0.1 Bel (2012) Doan x Boo

Updated population list coming out tomorrow.

 

[Zoofan15]

Australasian Asian Small-clawed Otter Population (2024)

Tasmania Zoo are a returning holder. They imported four females from Singapore last year, which are currently nameless.

The five otters listed under Gorge Wildlife Park are set to imminently transfer in from Perth Zoo.

New Zealand:

Auckland Zoo:

1.0 Budi (2019) Kanan x Takumi
1.0 Agus (2020) Kanan x Takumi
1.0 Hendra (2020) Kanan x Takumi
1.0 Ika (2020) Kanan x Takumi

Brooklands Zoo:

0.1 Akira (2019) Harry x Jafar
0.1 Luna (2019) Harry x Jafar
0.1 Katara (2020) Harry x Jafar
0.1 Suki (2020) Harry x Jafar

Butterfly Creek:

0.1 Asia (2009) Imported 2011 (USA)
1.0 Mai (2013) Tuan x Asia
0.1 Charvi (2013) Tuan x Asia
0.1 Kiri (2013) Tuan x Asia

Orana Wildlife Park:

1.0 Ikan (2018) Cerdik x Paddy
1.0 Bajak (2018) Cerdik x Paddy
1.0 Tiga (2018) Cerdik x Paddy
1.0 Siak (2018) Cerdik x Paddy
1.0 Tuk (2018) Cerdik x Paddy

Wellington Zoo:

1.0 Eko (2012) Tuan x Asia
1.0 Si (2012) Tuan x Asia
1.0 Jambi (2013) Tuan x Asia
1.0 Bhutan (2013) Tuan x Asia

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve:

0.1 Takumi (2015) Pocket x Emiko
0.1 Indah (2019) Kanan x Takumi
0.1 Dewi (2019) Kanan x Takumi
0.1 Mimpi (2020) Kanan x Takumi
0.1 Murni (2020) Kanan x Takumi

Australia:

Adelaide Zoo:

1.0 Bao (2012) Doan x Boo
0.1 Kalaya (2015) Juno x Jeta
1.0 Rama (2019) Bao x Kalaya
0.1 Mali (2019) Bao x Kalaya
1.0 Riann (2020) Bao x Kalaya
0.1 Mani (2020) Bao x Kalaya

Australia Zoo:

1.0 Percival (2014) Pocket x Emiko
0.1 Daisy (2015) Pocket x Emiko

Gorge Wildlife Park:

1.0 Cerdik (2014) Juno x Jeta
1.0 Sawatdi (2019) Cerdik x Paddy
1.0 Amir (2020) Cerdik x Paddy
1.0 Tom (2020) Cerdik x Paddy
1.0 Ulani (2020) Cerdik x Paddy

Halls Gap Zoo:

0.1 Paddy (2010) Imported 2011 (Germany)
0.1 Bibi (2019) Cerdik x Paddy
0.1 Bulan (2019) Cerdik x Paddy
0.1 Botum (2020) Cerdik x Paddy

Melbourne Zoo:

1.0 Odie (2017) Imported 2019 (Singapore)
0.1 Paula (2010) Imported 2011 (Germany)
1.0 Gunther (2020) Odie x Paula
1.0 Murphy (2020) Odie x Paula
1.0 Rodney (2020) Odie x Paula

Mogo Wildlife Park:

1.0 Bulan (2014) Pocket x Emiko
1.0 Ravi (2015) Pocket x Emiko

National Zoo & Aquarium:

1.0 Bal (2012) Doan x Boo
0.1 Pai (2018) Cerdik x Paddy
1.0 Basil (2020) Bal x Pai
1.0 Chester (2020) Bal x Pai
0.1 Josey (2020) Bal x Pai

Perth Zoo:

1.0 Saati (2018) Ketut x Pia
0.1 Squid (2020) Odie x Paula

Rockhampton Zoo:

1.0 Tomio (2018) Pocket x Emiko
0.1 Misumi (2015) Pocket x Emiko

Sydney Zoo:

1.0 Intan (2017) Ketut x Pia
0.1 Saigon (2018) Cerdik x Paddy

Taronga Zoo:

1.0 Ketut (2012) Tuan x Asia
0.1 Pia (2010) Imported 2011 (Germany)

1.0 Anng (2019) Harry x Jafar
0.1 Bel (2012) Doan x Boo

Taronga Western Plains Zoo:

1.0 Harry (2014) Imported 2019 (Singapore)
0.1 Jafar (2015) Pocket x Emiko
1.0 Tai (2020) Harry x Jafar

Tasmania Zoo:

0.1 Unnamed (Unknown) Imported 2023 (Singapore)
0.1 Unnamed (Unknown) Imported 2023 (Singapore)
0.1 Unnamed (Unknown) Imported 2023 (Singapore)
0.1 Unnamed (Unknown) Imported 2023 (Singapore)

Total population: 39.33 otters

 

[Tiger91]

It's good to see that we have a decent captive population. I wonder how popular they actually are overseas where other otter species are/can be held.

 

[Zoofan15]

It's good to see that we have a decent captive population. I wonder how popular they actually are overseas where other otter species are/can be held.

I remember being surprised how comparatively uncommon they were in the United States, but it makes sense when they have the North American river otter.

The Australasian region has held Asian small-clawed otter for decades. They’re well suited to our climate and are the smallest otter species.

As shown by the population list, there was a series of births in 2019-2020, but no young have been bred since then. A couple of transfers have been made in the last month, which gives hope we’ll see some litters this year. The population would greatly benefit from some additional imports. Four females were imported from Singapore Zoo, which is good to see; though they may well be related to Harry and Odie, who also came from Singapore.

 

[Tiger91]

I remember being surprised how comparatively uncommon they were in the United States, but it makes sense when they have the North American river otter.

The Australasian region has held Asian small-clawed otter for decades. They’re well suited to our climate and are the smallest otter species.

As shown by the population list, there was a series of births in 2019-2020, but no young have been bred since then. A couple of transfers have been made in the last month, which gives hope we’ll see some litters this year. The population would greatly benefit from some additional imports. Four females were imported from Singapore Zoo, which is good to see; though they may well be related to Harry and Odie, who also came from Singapore.

I did notice that, most of our imports are coming via Singapore. Which could just be an ease of acquiring thing. Given they are a species held in Asia in captivity, perhaps they are easily aquaired in zoos like in Singapore and they have good genetic diversity.

Do we know of any reason why the trend is to keep either a breeding pair or siblings. I remember seeing a breeding pair with there young at western plains zoo in the early 2000's. There must have been 6 to 8 on display. Same with taronga there exhibit is decent and they used to hold more then just a pair. Which seems to there normal unless they have young.