Guernsey Press

Newly arrived otters ‘inseparable’ as keepers hope for ‘patter of tiny paws’

Ernie and Carol arrived at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo two weeks ago.

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Keepers are hoping for “the pitter patter of tiny paws” after two newly-arrived otters appeared to be developing a close bond.

Six-year-old Ernie and two-year-old Carol, two Asian short-clawed otters, arrived at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo separately two weeks ago as part of a breeding programme, and are said by staff at the park to be “inseparable”.

Two otters at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
The two otters were found by keepers ‘snuggled up’ together (ZSL Whipsnade Zoo/PA)

“They’ve been very happy together ever since, so hopefully we’ll hear the pitter patter of tiny paws very soon!”

An otter at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Asian short-clawed otters are vulnerable in the wild (ZSL Whipsnade Zoo/PA)

They are designated as vulnerable in the wild by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

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