Two otter pups born at Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park

After 10 years of living life as a bachelor and refusing to settle down, Asian short-claw otter Badger has finally found love and has welcomed four playful pups with partner Isa.

Isa, who was born in 2020, arrived at the Sea Life centre in summer 2022, and the pair have been inseparable ever since.

With the relationship going swimmingly, aquarists suspected Isa might be pregnant.

One morning during feeding time as they approached the otter’s home, the team were greeted by the adorable tiny squeaks of two baby otters.

After deciding to close off the holt for public viewing, they soon discovered that the otter-ly adorable pair had finally taken things to the next level.

The family of four (Image: Sea Life)

The family will now live happily together in their otter habitat, which includes an Asian themed garden, tunnels and a large open space for the family to run around and play together, as well as giving guests more viewing access when visiting the attraction.

Kico Iraola, Curator at Sea Life Weymouth, said: “We are delighted to welcome our four new arrivals to the world. It’s been amazing to see Badger grow up over the past decade, finally find a suitable mate and now become a father for the very first time.

“The team are thrilled with the pups and it’s fantastic to see the great work they’ve put in, and continue to do so, to ensure the new family are well looked after and have everything they could possibly need.” 

One of the adorable pups (Image: Sea Life)

The team have installed a nest cam to monitor the otters closely.

Whilst they initially believed there was only one baby they soon discovered that Badger and Isa had created a whole ‘quad’ of happiness as four very cute babies venture out of the nest and into the holt.

The IUCN Red List classifies Asian small-clawed otters as vulnerable, with the destruction of habitats playing a major part in the reduction of numbers of this species in their native Asia.

By breeding aquarium-born otters, Sea Life, is able to help educate the public about their plight in the wild whilst also ensuring that this vulnerable listed species thrive under no threat.