Small Clawed Otter

There’s one main reason why London Zoo and many other zoos and animal collections keep Small Clawed Otters.

It’s not the ongoing habitat loss:

Asian Short Clawed Otter - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

It’s not the pollution which ruins their water:

Asian Short Clawed Otter - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

It’s not the hunting:

Asian Short Clawed Otter - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

It’s not that it’s listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of endangered species:

Asian Short Clawed Otter - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

They are kept in captivity because they’re a social species and make an entertaining exhibit. Asian Small Clawed Otters live in extended family groups. They have just one breeding pair with the previous years’ youngsters helping to raise the young.

They are very entertaining:

Asian Short Clawed Otter - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Habitat loss, pollution, hunting and their vulnerable status are not.

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