A three-month-old Asian small-clawed otter pup named Bao will make his public debut this weekend, Feb. 21-22, in the Asian Forest Sanctuary at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

For the past several weeks, Bao has been preparing for his debut by spending time on exhibit with his parents, Sebastian and Pintar, during quiet, closed days. On open zoo days, the pup has continued settling in behind the scenes under the close watch of his experienced parents and animal care staff.

“Bao has been gaining confidence every day,” said Telena Welsh, Curator of the Asian Forest Sanctuary. “He’s curious, active, and closely bonded with his parents. We’re excited for guests to see him exploring his habitat.”

Born on November 18, Bao has grown quickly, more than quadrupling his birth weight from 0.5 pounds to 2.3 pounds. Like all young otters, Bao’s development has followed a predictable timeline, from opening his eyes to gaining mobility, regulating his body temperature, and exploring new foods. He especially enjoys swimming lessons with Sebastian and Pintar never far away.

Bao’s name means “treasure” or “precious” in Vietnamese. It’s a fitting choice for a species that is highly vulnerable in the wild due to habitat loss, pollution, and the illegal pet trade. Asian small-clawed otters are native to Vietnam and throughout southern India, China, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

The pup’s birth was the result of a breeding recommendation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan® (SSP). The SSP carefully evaluates the genetic makeup of otters across North American zoos to promote healthy, genetically diverse populations and support the long-term survival of the species.

Asian small-clawed otters are the smallest of the world’s 13 otter species and are known for being highly social and vocal. They communicate using at least a dozen distinct calls, along with touch and scent, and in the wild feed on crustaceans, mollusks, small fish, insects, reptiles, and amphibians.

While Bao continues to grow and strengthen his bond with his parents, animal care staff will closely monitor his time on exhibit and adjust access as needed, especially as weather conditions change.

Sebastian, Pintar, and Bao live separately from the zoo’s other Asian small-clawed otters, Yuki and Arista, as the species is highly territorial and typically lives only with mates and offspring.