Otter-ly Adorable Pups Given First Health Check

A litter of four Asian small-clawed otter pups at Perth Zoo were given their first veterinary check on May 30, coinciding with World Otter Day.The eight-week-old pups, born April 3 to parents Paddy and Cerdik, are part of a threatened species whose aquatic habitats have been destroyed due to urban and agricultural development. Paddy and Cerdik were born in Frankfurt, Germany, and Auckland, New Zealand, respectively, and were paired together as part of an international breeding program.“Wild otters have been poached for the illegal pet and fur trade, whilst entanglement in fishing nets can result in injury and sometimes painful death for some otters,” Perth Zoo senior keeper Karen Rotherham said.“We hope our growing otter family at Perth Zoo will help more people discover why these incredible animals are worth saving!”Video taken by the zoo show the pups, their eyes closed, huddled up against each other while Paddy and Cerdik move from their enclosure. The pups are then given a check-up from veterinarians. Credit: Perth Zoo via Storyful