Three cheeky otters from Chester Zoo are causing a stir at Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre and nature reserve.
The Asian short-clawed otters – dad Robbie, mum Daisy and daughter Dili – have been delighting visitors since moving into Cotebrook’s newly-refurbished otter pool as part of the Zoo’s breeding programme
“Our new arrivals are absolutely gorgeous and visitors love watching them in the otter pool,” said Janet King, who runs Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre, near Tarporley, with her husband Alistair.
Chester Zoo needed to set up a new breeding line and so to help with this, Robbie, Daisy and Dili have been re-settled at Cotebrook to enjoy living at the nature reserve.
Janet added: “For many years we looked after three brother otters who lived out their days at Cotebrook – so we are delighted to have been asked to take a new family by the Zoo.
“They are real characters … Robbie, a gentleman, Daisy a bit greedy, and Dili really cheeky…but our visitors can see them in action for themselves!”
Tim Rowlands, from Chester Zoo, added: “Asian short-clawed otters are the world’s smallest otter species but what they lack in size, they more than make up for in personality.
“Sadly though their numbers in the wild are decreasing and the species is listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This is partly due to habitat loss and party because they’re hunted for their skins and organs which are used in traditional Chinese medicines. We hope that Robbie, Daisy and Dili can help to create more awareness of the issues that their wild cousins face.”
The Shire Horse Centre would also like to thank professional wildlife photographer Ian Thompson who has taken some wonderful pictures of the new residents.
Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre is a stud farm which incorporates 50 acres of beautiful country park where visitors can enjoy an abundance of wildlife – from badgers and owls to Scottish wildcats and red deer.
All animals at the centre are available for adoption, with around 500 visitors now supporting the scheme.
For more information please visit www.cotebrookshirehorses.co.uk
