A heartwarming conservation effort is underway as Manu, a three-year-old male giant otter from Hungary's Budapest Zoo, embarks on a journey to the United Kingdom's Chester Zoo. The mission? To find a suitable mate and help prevent the highly endangered species from slipping towards extinction.
Manu has been carefully selected by zookeepers from both zoos as an ideal genetic match for Tibiri, an eight-year-old female giant otter residing at Chester Zoo. Giant otters play a crucial role as apex predators in maintaining the balance of freshwater habitats in South America, where experts estimate fewer than 5,000 remain.
The initial meeting between Manu and Tibiri was a promising sign for conservationists. The two otters were seen swimming and playing together, with photographers capturing these delightful interactions that suggest a positive bond is forming. Such moments are vital in ensuring the success of breeding programs aimed at bolstering the population of this remarkable species.
By bringing together these giant otters from different continents, zookeepers hope to create a sustainable partnership that will contribute to the survival and thriving of giant otters in the wild.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com