Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park has revealed its brand-new habitat for its adorable Asian short-clawed otter, Badger. After calling the place home for a decade, SEA LIFE wanted to provide its super-cute resident with a newly revamped pad, which provides added enrichment and allows Badger the chance to explore a range of new places, whilst he waits for a new mate to arrive.
The newly opened otter enclosure has upgraded Badger’s original home to feature tunnels with windows, a tranquil Asian garden theme – paying homage to the origin of the otters’ breed – pagodas and new gravel, meaning the aquatic mammal will be able to spend his day foraging in his new habitat, whilst enjoying the bigger open space.
What’s more, male otter Badger, who was born in Weymouth in 2012, will be turning his new enclosure into Weymouth’s best bachelor pad, as he will be ridin’ solo until a new companion arrives at the aquarium ready to breed.
Asian short-clawed otters are incredibly social animals, notoriously known for their playful and cheeky personalities, so there is no doubt that Badger will find a new soul mate in no time. The new enclosure means visitors will be able to get closer than ever before to the playful singleton, as guests can crawl through tunnels equipped with enhanced viewing areas.
Kico Iraola, Curator at Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park said: “We are extremely excited to open our brand-new otter enclosure to the public once again. This upgraded habitat will give Badger even more space to play and explore and the public more viewing access, so they can get up close and personal with the otterly adorable bachelor. However, the new space is far too big for Badger to enjoy all on his own, so we’ll be looking to find him a mate to join his new home very soon and hopefully begin the breeding process. Badger previously lived with his sister Branston, however, the pair have since gone their separate ways as they look to start a family of their own.”
The enclosure will give guests an even better experience when visiting Badger, thanks to the new tunnels, windows and specialist viewing areas.
To visit Badger’s new bachelor pad at Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park and for further information on the aquarium, please visit www.visitsealife.com/weymouth
SEA LIFE Weymouth Adventure Park
Lodmoor Country Park, Weymouth DT4 7SX
01305 761 070
www.visitsealife.com/weymouth