Zoo welcomes new band of brothers

The young otters are the first of their kind born in Australasia in more than six years. Photo / Richard Robinson

Auckland Zoo's otter family has two new additions - the first of their kind born in Australasia in more than six years. The 5-week-old Asian small-clawed otters weigh about 400g each.

Team leader of primates Amy Dixon said the pups were developing well. "They're putting on weight and looking like real little otters."

The otters, who develop fairly slowly, are still very unco-ordinated and will not develop their waterproof coats until they are 3 months old.

The pups, both males, have yet to be named. "We like to wait and see what their personalities are like before we give them names," said Ms Dixon.

All the zoo's otters have names beginning with J, such as parents Jana and Juno, but they will be steering clear of J-names, she said.

"It gets a bit confusing."

Visitors are likely to spot the pair in the rainforest area in four to five weeks time. As they are males, the pups will be relocated to other Australasian zoos at about 18 months of age.