Holidays are Chirpy and Bright with the Birth of Three Otter Pups at the Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Three male Asian small-clawed otter pups born Friday, Dec. 5, at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) are bonding with parents Milli and Binx. Pup #1 weighed 66.77 grams, Pup #2 weighed 89.21 grams and Pup #3 weighed 81.38 grams, which is equivalent to slightly less than an apple. The aquarium is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

NCAFF otter keepers Kristen Upton and Sarah Thomas spent the day keeping close watch on the otter couple's nesting box when they began hearing very different chirps coming from the behind-the-scenes den. While they had not seen the pups, it was a good sign that Milli had delivered her first successful litter.

The Aquarium welcomed Milli, age 7, in January 2024 from Hong Kong. She was born to parents who were confiscated by the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. The team transported Binx, age 5, to the Aquarium in fall 2024 from an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facility in Florida as a mate for Milli. Pregnancies in this otter species can be difficult to detect and stillbirths are not uncommon.

"We were thrilled when we began hearing pup chirps coming from their nesting box," said Upton. "Now that we've been able to examine them, we are excited that they are gaining weight and that Milli appears to be recovering smoothly post-partum."

Milli and Binx are first-time parents, and from their behavior so far, they are very attentive to their offspring. The otter team is facilitating a calm and supportive environment which allows them to succeed as new parents. The family of five will remain behind the scenes under the close monitoring of the otter team.

These tiny additions represent continued success in the AZA Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Program. Milli is among nine breeding female otters in the AZA SSP® Program in the United States. Because Milli is from Hong Kong, her genetics offer a rare opportunity for breeding a species whose parents are from the wild. Milli's offspring are the most genetically significant Asian small-clawed otters in the SSP.

"Milli and Binx have really delighted visitors to the Aquarium as they scamper through their habitat and spin and twirl in the water. Milli comes to us with an incredible history already, so it is wonderful to tell the next chapter of her story," said Joanna Zazzali, director, NCAFF.

The first otter pair at the Aquarium, Leia and Quincy, birthed three female pups in May 2022 and one female and two males in January 2023.

The North Carolina Aquariums are accredited through the AZA, a non-profit organization dedicated to the highest standards in the areas of conservation, animal well-being, education, science and recreation. The SSP mission is to manage an ex situ (outside of their native habitats) species population with the interest and cooperation of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums.

Asian small-clawed otters are native to Indonesia, southern China, southern India, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines. They are the smallest of the otter species and listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. Population numbers are declining because of several threats, including residential and commercial development, deforestation, the illegal pet trade, pollution, climate change, and poaching.

Our community can track their story on the NCAFF social media platforms including Facebook, Threads and Instagram.

About the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is just south of Kure Beach, a short drive from Wilmington on U.S. 421 and less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal. The Aquarium is one of three Aquariums and a pier that make up the North Carolina Aquariums, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The mission of the Aquarium is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. The Aquarium features a 235-000-gallon sand tiger shark habitat, an albino alligator, a bald eagle, a loggerhead sea turtle habitat and two families of mischievous Asian small-clawed otters.

Admission: $15 ages 13-61; $13 children ages 3-12; $14 seniors (62 and older) and military with valid identification; NC EBT card holders: $3. Free admission for children 2 and younger and N.C. Aquarium Society members and N.C. Zoo members. *EBT rate is applicable to a maximum of four tickets.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.