Asian short-clawed otters
Our Asian short-clawed otters Musa and Mimi are two of our most popular residents, entertaining visitors of all ages with their outgoing nature and playful antics.
The cheeky pair can regularly be seen going for a swim in their ‘paddy field’, rolling around in mud, juggling pebbles on their tummies and greeting their adoring public with squeaky cries.
Join us for daily commentated feeds at 11.30am and 3pm, when our expert wardens can tell you more about these fascinating mustelids (which translates as ‘smelly animals’!).
Asian short-clawed otters are the smallest of all 13 species of otter and a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List.
Close Encounters
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Our Close Encounters area is home to some of the rarest water birds on Earth, many of which will eat corn from your hand.
Visitors can buy bags of corn from the centre, before getting nose-to-beak with the dozens of ducks, geese and swans that roam freely around the grassy enclosure.
Every penny that you spend goes back into supporting our essential conservation work, including the specialist breeding programmes that are helping to save the same endangered species that you’re feeding.
The Hawaiian goose, or nene, is a curious and gentle bird, ideal for young children to interact with.
Other interesting characters to look out for include ruddy shelduck, considered sacred by the Buddhists of Tibet and Mongolia; delicate Ross’s geese and snow geese, which flock together in large groups; and the unmistakable red-breasted goose, which is globally threatened.
A handy hint – if the birds are a bit shy then crouch down to their level before offering them food. You’ll look a bit more approachable if you’re more their size!
