Otterly gorgeous!

It’s World Otter Day and when better to celebrate our otterly adorable otter family than during Love Your Zoo Week?

DZG visitors can learn more about our Asiatic short-clawed otter dad Buddy, mum Keyah and their two youngsters in a special feed and talk today, the International Otter Survival Fund’s World Otter Day.

The family have been enjoying playing with a heart-shaped enrichment toy which keepers made from old fire hose in their spare time.

Other heart-shaped devices have been given to various animals around the zoo to mark the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Love Your Zoo week which runs until June 3.

The week gives dozens of UK zoos, wildlife parks, aquariums and bird sanctuaries chance to work together to promote the important conservation, education and research work we do.

Senior Keeper, Sam Grove, said: “The otters are an active and playful family and very popular with our visitors.

“Because it’s World Otter Day we’ll be making an extra fuss of the whole family today and telling visitors lots of interesting information about them this lunchtime.”

The otter feed and talk takes place outside the otter enclosure at 12.30pm. Hope you can join them on their special day!

BIAZA members participate in 1,400 research projects every year, many of these measuring behaviour with the aim of improving animal welfare – your visit helps us learn about helping wildlife.