Q: Where are Asian small-clawed otters found?
SW: Asian small-clawed otters are found in Southeast Asia — from northern India to southeastern China, the Malay Peninsula, and parts of Indonesia. They prefer freshwater and brackish habitats such as rivers, creeks, estuaries, and coastal waters. They may also spend a considerable amount of time out of the water, traveling considerable distances between waterways.
Q: Are they endangered?
SW: These otters are considered a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and degradation (mostly from pesticide use), a decline in available prey, and poaching.
Q: How is SeaWorld helping these otters?
SW: SeaWorld’s Asian small-clawed otters are part of the AZA’s Species Survival Plans, the goal of which is to preserve, in zoos and aquariums, species that are threatened or endangered in the wild.