Otter Diary: 11/09/09 Behind the scenes with Mia and Smudge at Lakes Aquarium Cumbria Pt1

In September 2008 I began working with two Asian Short Calwed Otters - Mia and Smudge.

I left the aquarium in March of 2010.

In the space of a year I discovered two amazing characters with great intelligence who enjoyed interaction just like a Cat or a Dog. Otters can be domesticated from very young, however Mia and Smudge were different in that they had had very little contact over there lives with Keepers other than at feeding times. Smudge is 13 and Mia is 7. As many Otters do in captivity, they became known as being agressive and dangerous - a cycle in which I believe, meant they got less and less interaction. Over the space of year I achieved the goal of being able to take people into the enclosure and feed them. I wanted as many people as possible to experience what I experienced when interacting with these amazing animals. What amazed me about this was that an animal that had been 'wild' for most of its life had an inherent character that was instinctive, inquisitive and highly intelligent - it just needed to be discovered and nurtured. One of their favourite things to do was touch your nose with theres if they could - part of their 'language'.

It was a facinating journey for me to work with them, and I am very sad to leave them behind. My goal was always to try and show as many people as possible how intelligent and inherently inquisitive they are. Hopefully with this video I can show even more people, that Otters are not savage, they are like any other animal a product of their surroundings.

On 11 August this was filmed, and I have included all the footage of that day I will never forget. I have a plaster on my left thumb in the video. I did this finishing off one of the Bamboo 'toys' I made for them. I slipped with a drill! Now I have a scar on my thumb to remind me forever of my time working with them.

I made lots of toys for them to encourage them to think and problem solve. The toys included specially made feeders to encourage them to problem solve and use their paws, but also everyday items such as a football, keys and toys for cats and dogs.

Thanks to the crew who filmed it - you were great.

This is for Mia and Smudge.......

As story featuring us in the Manchester Evening News

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/lifestyle/holidays/holiday_review/s/11...

Behind the Scenes

Download this video

Are they Wild animals?

This video is for education and review

A lot of people ask me how I got a pet Otter (Oscar in my other videos) - I used to work with two Otters (Mia & Smudge who you can see in my other videos) and was lucky to meet some great people involved in the Otter specialist community. I would suggest to anyone interested in Otters to visit otterjoy.co.uk and also read as much as you can, visit Zoos and Aquariums and watch their behaviour, suggets ideas to their keepers and generally get to know this incredible species first..... feel free to message me or comment with any questions.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Otters
• Feeding
• Lakes
• Aquarium
• Training
• Temple
• Grandin
• Husbandry
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• Asian
• short
• clawed
• Captivity
• Cumbria
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• documentary
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• whisperer
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• evening
• news
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• cats
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• behind
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• scenes
• oriental
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• football
• toys
• keys
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• education
• review
• behind scenes
• critica
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• loquendo
• wildlife
• zoo
• bay
• fish
• deer

[Colemanggh]

Mia and Smudge were worth working with. They are precious! Thanks for the videos!

[Jeremyuhy]

Very nice video.  I learned a lot!

[Kennedxsz]

I like the guys accent in the video!

[Angeladlya]

How long do otters live? That is interesting to me!

[Emilyfgh]

Lakes Aquarium Cumbria is a great place!

[Bricefgh]

The Otter diary is awesome.  Thanks for the updates!

[Cartergtyh]

I love seeing the progress of these animals and how they mature over time!

[Dianaxala]

I love the idea of the video diaries!

[Melissaxsc]

Aww, Mia and Smudge are so cute!

[Clivebbh]

Wow thos are some fasinating animals!