The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher has opened voting to name three Asian small-clawed otter pups born in December 2025.
All three pups are male and were born during a full moon on Friday, Dec. 5, at the aquarium, part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
According to a statement from North Carolina Aquariums, the pups are already displaying distinct personalities and characteristics.
The smallest and quietest of the trio often appears grumpy. Another is described as the loudest, quickest to develop, and most agile, making him difficult to photograph. The third pup’s traits were not described in detail.
The trio are considered genetically significant to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan, which supports conservation of vulnerable species. Their grandparents, Si and Fun, were confiscated in Hong Kong in 2018 by the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and transferred to Ocean Park Hong Kong.
The pups’ mother, Milli—born at Ocean Park in 2018—arrived at Fort Fisher in January 2024. Their father, Binx, came from another AZA-accredited facility in fall 2024.
Photos and videos of the pups have been shared online allowing the public to follow their development. Voting for their names is now open.
