Another rare Giant Otter cub born at New Forest Wildlife Park

For the second time within a year, The New Forest Wildlife Park is proud to announce the birth of an endangered giant otter cub. This marks another successful contribution to the conservation of this rare endangered species. 

The cub was born on the 13th of July to parents Ibera and Simuni which is particularly significant because father Simuni, at 14 years old is the oldest giant otter within Europe to sire young. 

The female cub has been named ‘Ari Rana, which means “water jaguar” in the South American tribal language of Tupi. She joins her siblings who are 10 months and 1 year 9 months old, bringing the park's total number of giant otters to eight. 

Now at over 14 weeks, Ari Rana can be seen out and about in her enclosure with her loving family. Biggest sister Karanambu is doing a fantastic job helping mum and dad, whilst Guapo and Acari who were born on Christmas Day provide a little too much excitement and rough play for the young cub. 

Giant otters are the largest of the 13 otter species and can reach up to 6 feet in length. They are native to the Amazon where their decline has been attributed to the loss of their natural habitats and historical hunting for their valuable pelts. The New Forest Wildlife Park is a proud affiliate of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) for the conservation of giant otters. 

The announcement of the birth ties in with the park’s Halloween and October half-term campaign “Spooky Species” which shines a light on a topic much scarier than ghosts and ghouls - the extinction of wildlife species and the urgent need for conservation.

“We are thrilled with the arrival of Ari Rana, marking our third successful litter of Giant otter cubs.” Says senior keeper Lizzy “We are very proud to be committed to the conservation of this endangered species, as every birth is a positive step towards securing their future.”

Visitors to the park will be able to observe Ari Rana and her family in their habitat whilst learning more about the conservation projects and how to get involved.