2nd February 2012

WEYMOUTH: Baby otters make a splash

OTTER cubs are delighting visitors to Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park for the first time in seven years.

The two youngsters are nearly four-and-a-half months but have only recently ventured from the warmth and security of their straw-filled holt.

Their proud parents 12-year-old Jonny and his younger partner Lilly were only introduced to each other in July last year but it was love at first sight.

Park curator Fiona Smith thinks Lilly was pregnant within a month.

She added: “Gestation is only about 60 days, but the cubs were probably already at least a week old by the time we heard the first tell-tale squeaks.”

Now the pair are exploring their outdoor enclosure more thoroughly every day.

Fiona said: “One of them is really quite brave and cocky while the other seems to be extremely shy, but neither of them seem prepared to wander too far from mum and dad at the moment.”

The cubs, which are Asian short-clawed otters, will not be fully grown until they are about one-year-old and will build their strength and stamina in the meantime with constant play fighting with each other and with mum and dad.

Fiona said: “They are unbelievably cute and have melted the hearts of just about every member of staff.”

The lighter coloured otter is Lilly and the darker, larger otter is Jonny. The two babies don’t have names yet.

PICTURE: ‘UNBELIEVABLY CUTE’ - The baby otters at Weymouth Sea Life Park