From arriving at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) as the first Asian small-clawed otters, to becoming first-time parents and welcoming a second litter in less than a year, Leia and Quincy have captured the hearts of the community. The parents and four offspring will be moving to a new home at the North Carolina Zoo, as the NCAFF otter team begins a new chapter in their work to save this vulnerable species.
Say Farewell with Us Virtually or In Person
NCAFF will host Farewell Furry Friends on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. at the Otters on the Edge habitat with an ice cake enrichment for the Leia and Quincy family. The community can also follow along on Facebook.
Milli & Binx
The Aquarium is excited to introduce Milli, a 6-year-old female and Binx, a 4-year-old male who visitors will soon see at the “Otters on the Edge” habitat. The otter team will give the rambunctious pair an opportunity to explore their new space at their own pace. They will have a waterfall to slide down and a pond to twirl in. Milli is one of two otters that the Aquarium welcomed in January 2024 from Hong Kong. She was born to parents who were confiscated by the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. The team transported Binx to the Aquarium in fall 2024 from an AZA facility in Florida as a mate for Milli.
“They are the first animals that visitors will see when they step into the Aquarium and their mischievous antics create an instant connection,” said Joanna Zazzali, director, NCAFF. “It’s so rewarding for our staff and volunteers to share their story with the community and inspire individual action to save them.”
Rare Opportunity
Because Milli is from Hong Kong, her genetics offer a rare opportunity for breeding a species whose parents are from the wild.
“A successful breeding of this pair will bring in new genetics making it very valuable to the sustainability of the SSP in its goal of maintaining a genetically diverse population,” said Shannon Anderson, lead otter keeper.
Species Survival Plan®
Milli and Binx have some big paws to fill as the breeding of Leia and Quincy yielded three female pups in May 2022 and one female and two males in January 2023. The Aquarium celebrated the new pups and success in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Program. The North Carolina Aquariums are accredited through the AZA, a non-profit organization dedicated to the highest standards in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science and recreation. The SSP mission is to manage an ex situ species population with the interest and cooperation of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums.
“Welcoming Milli and Binx to the otter program at the Aquarium is very important to our mission and no doubt they will also capture the hearts of the community,” said Anderson. “As with Leia and Quincy, we are focusing our daily work on the long-term goals of saving this species.”
Vulnerable Species
These attention-grabbing animals are a vulnerable species —Asian small-clawed otter populations are in decline. They are native to Indonesia, southern China, Southeast Asia and the Philippines and there, they face threats from residential and commercial development, deforestation, the illegal pet trade, pollution, climate change and poaching.
Two of the females in Leia and Quincy’s first litter found new homes at other AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums. Otters on the Edge at the Aquarium is also home to Asta and Ray, a mother-son duo who have their own habitat.
Individual Actions to Save this Species
Individual actions can protect local species and they can create a ripple effect that can lead to protections for species across the globe.
- Switch to Smithsonian Bird Friendly ® coffee—it’s produced on farms that preserve the natural habitat for different species, preventing deforestation and destruction of homes for animals like Asian small-clawed otters.
- Don’t ever support illegally traded wild animals as pets.
- Don’t buy furs.
Online tickets are required to visit the Aquarium. Visitors can plan their trip and reserve tickets at NCAFF Admissions.
