Otter News Archive

New arrival at the zoo is settling in

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22nd March 2010

North West Evening Mail, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, United Kingdom

Giant Otter Tupi, 2, tucks into lunch after her recent arrival at the South Lakes Wild Animal Park. She is one of only two otters in the UK that are in a zoo with only 51 of the extremely rare creatures in captivity across the world. She will soon have a mate matched up with her as part of the International Breeding Programme. LINDSEY DICKINGS REF:50002691B001.jpg Tupi the two-year-old giant otter has joined South Lakes Wild Animal Park as part of an international breeding programme.

There are only 51 giant otters in captivity, and only two in the UK.

A spokeswoman for the zoo said: “She certainly is a fantastic sight, exploring her new surroundings.

“She has all the mod cons and a life of luxury with a fabulous, purpose-built enclosure, complete with indoor viewing areas overlooking her private, indoor heated swimming pool, where visitors can watch her show off her amazing aquatic skills.

“Outside, massive viewing windows overlook her outdoor pool, dens, rocks and fantastic otter home, and if viewers are as captivated as the staff at watching her move and swim in her pool and explore the area, then she will certainly be a very unique and firm favourite.”

Tupi, who was born in Dortmund Zoo in 2007, joined the Dalton animal park last Saturday from Leipzig Zoo.