NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher celebrates birth of three Asian small-clawed otter pups

FORT FISHER, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is welcoming three new additions after three male Asian small-clawed otter pups were born Friday, Dec. 5.

The pups, born to Milli and Binx, are the first successful litter for the pair.

The newborns are still behind the scenes bonding with their parents. Pup #1 weighed about 2.35 ounces, Pup #2 about 3.15 ounces, and Pup #3 about 2.87 ounces, each roughly the weight of a small apple.

Aquarium keepers Kristen Upton and Sarah Thomas monitored the otters’ nesting box throughout the day and began hearing distinctive chirps from the den, a sign that Milli had delivered. Although pregnancies in this species can be difficult to detect and stillbirths are not uncommon, staff say both Milli and the pups are doing well.

“We were thrilled when we began hearing pup chirps coming from their nesting box,” Upton said. “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, age 7, arrived at the aquarium in January 2024 from Hong Kong, where her parents had been confiscated by the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Binx, age 5, was brought in from an Association of Zoos and Aquariums facility in Florida later that year as her mate.

Both otters are first-time parents. Staff say the pair has been attentive and nurturing as the aquarium team works to maintain a calm environment. The family will remain behind the scenes under close monitoring.

According to the NC Aquarium, the birth marks an important success for the AZA Species Survival Plan Program. Milli is one of just nine designated breeding females in the SSP, and because she comes from wild-born parents, her genetics are considered especially valuable. Her pups are now among the most genetically significant Asian small-clawed otters in the program.

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

The Fort Fisher Aquarium previously welcomed otter litters in 2022 and 2023 from its first pair, Leia and Quincy.

Asian small-clawed otters are native to southern and Southeast Asia and are listed as vulnerable due to habitat loss, development, the illegal pet trade, pollution, climate change, and poaching.