Oldest Asian otter at NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher has died

KURE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The oldest Asian Small-Clawed otter at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher died on Wednesday. She was 17 and a half years old.

Asta was placed in palliative care following a recent diagnosis. The team at the aquarium closely monitored her and they say age-related conditions progressed to a point of discomfort for her, so she was humanely euthanized.

The aquarium says, Asta, exceeded the life-expectancy of her species in professional care which is 12-15 years old.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Asta, an otter beloved by us and the community.” said Joanna Zazzali, NCAFF director. “We are grateful for the outpouring of support and love for her which has been comforting to us at the Aquarium.”  

Asta has been with the Aquarium since 2020 and is known for how she twirled in the pool and showed so much devotion to her son, Ray. They say the two were inseparable and enjoyed juggling pebbles and shells and snuggling.

 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.