Wellington Zoo Otter Offer

5 October 2005

Wellington Zoo Otter Offer

Animal interaction just keeps on coming with the launch of a new Otter Encounter at Wellington Zoo today.

Wellington Zoo is now enabling visitors to get up close and personal with their hand reared otter, Jak’ura. Visitors can sit and hand feed Jak’ura and experience his wet paws, furry face and twitching whiskers.

Bringing animals and people closer together, Otter Encounters continue Wellington Zoo’s vision to educate people about conservation in a magical setting. Jak’ura’s inquisitive nature makes him an excellent ambassador for his species.

“Whilst feeding Jak’ura, visitors will also learn about the plight of these animals in the wild, and gain a greater understanding of how important it is to protect them” says Otter Keeper, Rebekah Turner.

Hand-reared at Auckland Zoo, Jak’ura came to Wellington Zoo in an attempt to introduce him to two other otters and form a social group.

“Unfortunately Jak’ura obviously preferred to spend time with people rather than other otters and isolated himself from the rest of the group” says Wellington Zoo Chief Operating Officer, Mauritz Basson.

“Otter Encounters make an excellent present. They’re not only memorable, but people learn about how important it is to look after our environment so these animals will survive”, says Mauritz

Threatened in the wild, due to human activities, the Asian small-clawed Otter is the smallest of the Otter species.

ENDS

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