Giant Otter Cubs Officially Named at New Forest Wildlife Park

Meet Junior, Tambo, and Fiúza: The Four Month Old Trio Capturing Visitors Hearts

The New Forest Wildlife Park is delighted to announce the official names of its four-month-old giant otter cubs, a trio that has captured the hearts of visitors and keepers alike.

The male cub with the largest throat patch has been named Junior, after keepers noticed a striking resemblance between him and his father, Simuni. This led the team to affectionately refer to him as Simuni Jr, a name that has now been made official.

The second male cub is Tambo, named after the Tambopata National Reserve in Peru. This protected area is one of the few safe refuges for giant otters in South America's forests and is home to one of Peru's last viable otter populations, making it a fitting tribute to vital conservation efforts.

Finally, the female cub carries the name Fiúza, honouring the park's dearly missed Panambi. Her name is a tribute to the Fiúza River, which winds through the Brazilian municipality of Panambi, creating a meaningful connection to her legacy and grandmother.

"The naming process has been a thoughtful process for our team," said Keeper Lizzy McNamara for New Forest Wildlife Park. "Each name carries real significance, whether it's celebrating family resemblance, highlighting important conservation areas, or paying tribute to an otter who meant so much to us."

These cubs represent an important contribution to the conservation of giant otters, a species classified as endangered in the wild. Giant otters face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and illegal hunting, making every successful birth a cause for celebration.

Visitors can now meet Junior, Tambo, and Fiúza during their visit to the park, where the playful trio can be seen growing in confidence and developing their characteristic otter personalities.