Thai Wildlife Sanctuary Welcomes New Arrival: the World’s Rarest Otter

The Hairy-nosed otter is known by experts as the ‘miracle’ otter, having been declared extinct in 1998 before camera traps later provided evidence of the species still roaming in parts of South East Asia. 

However, these populations are listed as Endangered and are under rapid decline. 

Now, one of these incredibly rare animals has found a new sanctuary home at the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT). 

Named Oreo, the animal was being unnaturally kept as a pet for the last six years, and is suspected to have originally been poached from the wild. He was surrendered to the sanctuary earlier this year after his owner decided it was better for the otter to live in a suitable environment.

As a pet, Oreo was kept alongside another male otter named Bacon. However, Bacon is a different species - an Asian small-clawed otter. Yet the pair have formed a special bond, and have been kept together in the same habitat at WFFT.  

At the sanctuary, Oreo will now have access to a more natural environment in a habitat that has trees, tunnels, and a pool to swim in, as well as being fed a healthy diet that includes several species of fish. 

The Hairy-nosed Otter, known for its hairy nose pad and white upper lip, is so rare that Oreo is believed to be one of only two living in rescue centres around the world.   

According to the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species, Oreo’s species is suspected to have suffered a population reduction of more than 50% in the last 30 years, and is likely to suffer another 50% population reduction over the next 30 years. 

The rapid decline in numbers is due to threats that include habitat destruction and illegal hunting and poaching for the illegal wildlife trade. 

Otters are wild animals that do not make good pets. Sadly, it is common to see endangered wild animals like Oreo being kept as pets, says  WFFT. The wildlife rescue centre is one of South East Asia’s largest animal sanctuaries and currently cares for over 800 animals. Many of these animals are ex-pets that were taken from the wild and then surrendered once their owners cannot care for them, including primates, birds, and reptiles.