Two Asian small-clawed otter pups were born at Minami-Chita Beachland & Minami-Chita Toy Kingdom (Mihama-cho, Chita-gun, Aichi Prefecture) on February 6, 2026. Both the mother and her pups are reported to be in good health, and the mother has been observed staying close to the babies and caring for them.
This marks the facility's second otter birth and the first in 29 years.
Birth Details
Date of birth confirmed: February 6, 2026 (Friday), 9:00 AM
Sex: Male (both)
Weight: 337 g and 364 g
Habitat: Asian Small-Clawed Otter Pool, Minami-Chita Beachland
Currently being raised inside a nesting box and cannot be viewed from the public observation area. Photography is not permitted.
Parents: Father: Asari (age 3), Mother: Lorraine (age 6)
Recent Updates
Although this is the first litter for this particular pair, the mother Lorraine has been observed staying close to the pups and actively nursing them. On March 3, a health check was performed on the two pups, confirming that both are male.
At present, the pups are kept inside a nesting box and cannot be seen from the public viewing area. However, if they continue to grow as expected, they are scheduled to go on public display around the time they reach two months of age. Following the public debut, a naming campaign is planned.
Father's Profile
Nickname: Asari
Age: 3 years old
Born on August 19, 2022, at a zoo in the Netherlands. Arrived at the facility on October 16, 2025, on a breeding loan from Takeshima Aquarium.
Mother's Profile
Nickname: Lorraine
Age: 6 years old
Born on May 16, 2019, at a zoo in the Netherlands. Arrived at the facility on October 26, 2019.
About the Asian Small-Clawed Otter
Scientific name: Aonyx cinerea
Order / Family: Carnivora / Mustelidae
The Asian small-clawed otter is distributed across rivers and wetlands in Southeast Asia and is the smallest species of otter, with a body length of approximately 40 to 60 cm. There is little size difference between males and females. Breeding occurs within family groups centered on a monogamous pair, with litters typically consisting of 2 to 6 pups. Notably, the father and older siblings also participate in rearing the young — a form of cooperative breeding. The nursing period lasts about three months, after which the young continue to live with the family group and learn social behaviors.
