Cornish Otter, Lloyd, Has Arrived and is Awaiting his Perfect Scottish Match

We are thrilled to announce we have a brand new habitat that has opened at the Zoo! This is our fist aquatic mammals' habitat! Love is in the air at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm as Lloyd, a Cornish-born Asian short-clawed otter, eagerly awaits his perfect match. Lloyd is the first of his species to arrive at the Zoo, marking an exciting new chapter for us.

We will be introducing a breeding pair of Asian short-clawed otters, a species known for their strong monogamous bonds. Lloyd’s future companion will be introduced soon, and we hope that the pair will successfully breed, contributing to the conservation of this species. The pair will be set up on the ultimate blind date!

Native to South and Southeast Asia, the Asian short-clawed otter is the smallest of the world’s 13 otter species. These highly social and intelligent animals are known for their playful nature. However, despite their charm, they face increasing threats in the wild. Classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List (2025), Asian short-clawed otters are under pressure from habitat destruction, the illegal pet trade, road traffic accidents, pesticides, and entanglement in fishing nets. Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm’s commitment to conservation aims to support and raise awareness of this incredible species.

As part of our commitment to sustainability, the habitat also incorporates chippings from over 3,500 Christmas trees donated through our annual Christmas Tree Recycling campaign. These chippings have been repurposed to line sections of the habitat floor, providing a natural, enriching environment for the otters.

As he awaits his special someone, Lloyd is settling into his new habitat in the Zoo. Visitors will have the chance to meet the new arrivals who will be getting to know each otter, whilst learning more about the conservation challenges facing the species.