Giant River Otter Baby Born Over the Summer is the First in Asia

A baby giant river otter born in Wildlife Reserves Singapore is not so giant after all.

A giant river otter is among 400 animal babies that were born in WRS' four parks between January and August of this year. The giant river otter baby is the first of its kind to be born in Asia, the Straits Times reports.

The unnamed giant river otter pup was born on August 10 and weight just over 3.5 pounds and is about two feet long. However the baby won't stay so small forever. The otter can grow up to six feet long and can weigh more than 75 pounds. The giant river otter is typically found in South American Rivers and is considered to be a rare breed as they are often hunted for their fur and face a loss of their natural habitat due to deforestation.

The giant river otter is part of the weasel family. There are only believed to be a few thousand left in the wild.

"With increasing threats such as habitat destruction and poaching, captive breeding programs play a pivotal role in conserving threatened species for our future generations," Wildlife Reserves Singapore chief Cheng Wen-Haur told the Straits Times.

Giant river otters swim by propelling themselves with their tails and flexing their bodies. They are made for the water as they have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. They mainly live on a diet of fish, but will sometimes eat crustaceans, snakes, and other river creatures.

The giant river otter isn't the only baby that was welcomed to WRS properties such as the Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, River Safari and Singapore Zoo this year. Several other threatened species like the orangutan, manatee and Malayan tapir were also born on the properties. WRS often exchanges their animals with other zoos for breeding purposes.

Giant river otters can be found in many U.S. facilities including the Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Jacksonville zoos and the Dallas World Aquarium, Miami Metroparks, and Moody Gardens.