12 September 2025
We have two very noisy new residents at Jersey Zoo; giant otters Fia and Alex. The giant otter is the largest member of the weasel family and the biggest otter species in the world. Unfortunately, they are classified as Endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and historical hunting for their pelts. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect their river habitats and preserve healthy populations.
The pair came to us as part of wider plans in the European breeding programme for this species, with the hopes to establish a European captive population of over 100 individuals. The long-term goal is to reintroduce these animals into the wild.
So, what does it take to bring a new animal to the zoo?
Our first task was rejuvenating the fencing for their new home. We wanted to give the giant otters multiple spaces to use outside, whilst also considering different scenarios that may arise in the future. With this in mind, we installed fencing that separated the outside area into two, replaced the entire electric fencing system and installed new fencing monitors. Visitors to the zoo will have also noticed we replaced all of the fencing around the outside of the enclosure and smartened up the space with new plants and greenery.
Next, we turned our attention to the moat as the water around the enclosure had not been drained all at once for some time. Our onsite maintenance team pulled out all of the old logs and rocks that had fallen in over the years and then we used an external company to suck out all of the water. I also had a lovely time power hosing the walls!
One of the requirements for keeping giant otters is to have a pond inside, and it was important to us that this looked as natural as possible. We worked with an external company to design and install the pond, whilst also training our maintenance team and keepers so that they can practice this method of cement work in the future.
Giant otters are pescatarians, so we needed somewhere to house their food. The previous inhabitants mainly ate fruit and vegetables, so we needed a designated freezer, defrosting fridge and workspace just for fish. To do this, we knocked down some office space and created a lovely open plan kitchen.
Giant otters specifically eat freshwater fish, so our next task was finding the best suppliers to ensure we have a variety of food for the otters ready. Each giant otter can eat up to 3kg of fish a day and variety is key; we've been lucky enough to give them trout, roach, salmon, carp, pangasius and tilapia.
As with any transport of an animal there is so much more to it than just taking a ferry and driving to pick it up. Our amazing Registrar started the work for this animal transport six months in advance of the move. From legislation and working with the UK government and the Jersey States Vet to requesting animal boxes to be made that meet the IATA regulations, it takes precision planning and a lot of patience.
But before any of this happened, we needed to consider the financial support required and started talking to those we thought might be interested in enabling the project. It is with thanks to a generous donation from some close supporters of Durrell that the team were able to proceed with our plans and undertake the work needed.
Once the work was complete, two of the team then headed off on their journey to collect Alex and Fia from Yorkshire Wildlife Park. At first, they went into it really excited, until the stench of fish and otter poo kicked in for the 16-hour journey!
What was the final result? After 12 months and 16 days from the initial proposal of housing giant otters at Jersey Zoo being submitted, they arrived and we couldn’t be happier!
