Ostrava Zoo welcomes otter triplets and plans species swap

A family of small otters (Aonyx cinereus) at Ostrava Zoo gave birth to triplet pups on 8 June 2026, expanding the resident group to ten individuals. The breeding pair and their multi‑generational offspring are cared for by zoo staff, who note that older siblings help raise younger ones, enhancing survival skills.

The zoo announced that, with the arrival of autumn, the small‑otter enclosure will be re‑homed and replaced by a group of smooth‑coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata). The change is driven by the robust captive population of small otters—about 900 in European zoos—versus the much smaller, more demanding smooth‑coated otter population of roughly 51 individuals. The swap aims to support conservation breeding of the latter species while maintaining sustainable numbers for both.

Matěj Vrúbel, the zoo’s carnivore‑breeding manager, explained that both otter species are classified as vulnerable in the wild, but the captive breeding success of small otters provides a foundation for future reintroduction efforts, while the smooth‑coated otters require specialized enclosure modifications.