Meet Ricky and Dauber

Photos © Michael Turco

Ricky and Dauber are Asian short-clawed otters. These wonderful little fellows came to us in April 2001 from an oceanarium. They had spent their lives as performing otters. IPPL was asked to provide them with a home when their "show business" days ended. Of course we accepted them.

Asian otters are small, only weighing around 6-10 pounds when fully grown. Unlike the larger otters, they are sociable, and fathers help with care of their offspring. Ricky and Dauber soon settled down at IPPL Headquarters.

In many ways otters are like gibbons - playful, family oriented, and mischievous.