I am really concerned about the stagnation and no visible breeding of the species in US AZA zoos in the last few years. Jacksonville had their last breeding success in 2020 and LA Zoo after Rosario - born 2016 - left ....! Is there light at the end of the tunnel?
United States Giant Otter Population
- Thread starter Valentinoamor
- Start date
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
New zoos want to include them in future projects (Fort Worth, John Ball) and some others likely will too so I’d expect hope in the species for North America.
The issue is that the population is ageing and it needs to double down on expanding successful conservation breeding at the existing group of zoos and facilities maintaining the species beyond Jacksonville and it needs to be expedited, if not the population will continue to go down hill ... and it comes down to better species management and convincing zoos at an earlier date to create new spaces for giant otters in South American habitats/zoo exhibits in US zoos.
Sure, I do know that the American river otter requires special attention and as a native species has regional significance. Where it is relevant is the choice between cure and relatively uncomplicated holdings for Asiatic small clawed otter and balance these with the much bigger giant otter. I look forward how Fort Worth, John Ball and ZooTampa will go about creating much needed new habitats/exhibits for the species!
The Los Angeles Zoo has a new breeding male who's on exhibit with females Mia and Misty.
The Santa Ana Zoo in California has been building a new giant river otter exhibit as part of River's Edge. Per their January 16 Instagram post, they didn't yet have a date for completion.
Any idea where the new breeding male is from?
Caldwell now has a pair on exhibit per a friend. I do not know where they came from.
I believe it was Dallas World Aquarium. His name was Touro and he was the littermate of LA's prior male, Bajo. I photographed him on exhibit with the females on January 25, but sadly found out during my visit yesterday that he passed away.
Damn, how sad!
(1.0) giant otter Panobo was transferred from Zoo Miami in Florida to the Houston Zoo in Texas.
18K views · 615 reactions | Who said rainy days can’t be fun? ️ Giant river otters, Marley and her new friend, Panobo, say you should see for yourself. | By Houston Zoo | Facebook
18K views · 615 reactions | Who said rainy days can’t be fun? ️ Giant river otters, Marley and her new friend, Panobo, say you should see for yourself. | By Houston Zoo | Facebook
(1.1) giant otters Salvador and Mazaruni were transferred from Moody Gardens in Texas to Caldwell Zoo in Texas.
Caldwell Zoo
Our esteemed @Great Argus, already alluded to this in an earlier post up that a pair had arrived. Thanks for confirming which individuals and where they came in from!
Is the right Honorable @Valentinoamor able to update us now on the full current giant otter population in North America (updated with the latest changes)?