Otter training on target

Training DZG’s three Asiatic short-clawed otters, Buddy, Keyah and Minnie, is right on target thanks to the efforts of Senior Keeper Laura Robbins.   Laura began target training our three otters just a few weeks ago, but the trio are proving to be very fast learners as she’s already managed to get them to stand […]

Soaking away spring chills!

When the spring weather’s chilly there’s nothing like a nice soak in a hot tub to warm the cockles! And Asiatic short-clawed otter female, Keyah, was straight in for a dip when keepers tried out a new enrichment activity with the group by adding a plastic tub full of warm water into the enclosure. Section […]

Otters on the ball

The men’s singles final will be in full swing at Wimbledon this afternoon but DZG otters are already on the ball! Our Asiatic short-clawed otter parents Buddy and Keyah and their littles ones have been enjoying a game of their own after keepers gave them a couple of tennis balls to play with. Senior Keeper […]

Baby otters!

Our otter family have been boosted by four more pups! Trainee Keeper, Danielle Partridge, managed to take the first photos of the Asiatic short-clawed babies, after spotting them emerging outside for one of their very first outings! The pups are the offspring of mum, Keyah, aged seven and 12 year-old dad, Buddy and are thought […]

A surprise stowaway

A stowaway in a supply of sprats provided a tasty treat for our Asiatic short-clawed otters. Keepers discovered a large frozen crab in amongst our normal delivery of fish from Poole, which they defrosted and gave to our group of five otters. Trainee Keeper, Josh Luxton, said: “Otters would naturally feed on crabs and other […]

Egg-stra special Easter treats

The Easter bunny delivered an egg-stra special breakfast to our Asiatic short-clawed otters this morning. Along with their regular sprats, the otters were treated to hardboiled eggs and by using go-pro-cameras, keepers have captured underwater footage of the otters enjoying their Easter delights! Assistant Curator, Jay Haywood, said: “We boil the eggs and give them […]

Otter-ly great news!

Keepers have snapped the first photographs of four newborn otters! Staff have had suspicions there were new arrivals in the underground den for a few weeks, but the Asiatic short-clawed babies have only just started to emerge outside. Trainee Keeper, Josh Luxton, said: “We don’t know their exact date of birth but the pups will […]