Archive · 11 Aug 2025
Otters Travel 1,200 KM From Surat to Delhi Zoo
Two smooth-coated otters are taking a long trip from Surat to Delhi Zoo, which is a big zoo in India!
They are traveling 1,200 kilometers and will be in a special cage for their safety.
This is part of a trade: the Delhi Zoo is getting the otters, and the Surat Zoo is getting other animals.
The otters will be quarantined for a few weeks.
The Delhi Zoo wants to learn how to care for the otters, especially how to help them have babies, which can be tricky.
The Surat zoo has a lot of otters, and the zoos are trying to make sure the otters are happy and healthy in their new home.
A pair of smooth-coated otters began a 1,200-km journey from Surat to the Delhi Zoo.
The otters are part of an exchange program and will be the first otters seen at the Delhi Zoo in two decades.
The otters will be quarantined for 21 days upon arrival, and their enclosure is being prepared.
Delhi is receiving the otters and 10 Indian star tortoises from Surat in exchange for five sangai deer, two macaws, and four conures.
The main challenge is preventing female otter infighting as young otters reach puberty.
- Who
- A pair of smooth-coated otters, along with zoo staff from Surat and Delhi.
- What
- A pair of smooth-coated otters are being transported to the Delhi Zoo as part of an exchange program.
- When
- The journey began on Monday.
- Where
- The otters are traveling from Surat to the National Zoological Park (NZP) in Delhi.
- Why
- To introduce otters to the Delhi Zoo after two decades, and as part of a zoo exchange program.
Surat Zoo Perspective
Delhi Zoo Perspective
Otter Care Challenges
Surat Zoo Perspective
Preventing female infighting is a challenge.
Delhi Zoo Perspective
Maintaining health, food, and sanitation are the priorities.
Breeding Challenges
Surat Zoo Perspective
Breeding otters in captivity is notoriously difficult.
Delhi Zoo Perspective
Breeding success depends on a variety of factors.
- Distance of Journey
- 1,200 km
- Origin
- Surat
- Destination
- Delhi Zoo
- Quarantine Period
- 21 days
- Exchange Animals from Surat
- Otters and 10 Indian star tortoises
- Exchange Animals to Surat
- Five sangai deer, two macaws, and four conures