World · East Asia & Pacific · 4 hrs ago
18-year-old otter Kira dies at Toba Aquarium, leaving one in Japan
Kira, an 18-year-old otter, died at Toba Aquarium in Mie Prefecture, Japan, on November 5.
The aquarium said the likely cause was cardiac arrest following respiratory failure.
She was born at Adventure World in Wakayama and moved to Toba in March 2021, where her fast waving and clapping made her popular.
Her movement had become impaired from around August, and she had recently lost noticeable weight despite treatment and care.
Kira’s death leaves Mei, a 22-year-old female, as Japan’s only captive otter.
The aquarium had suspended otter viewing and its live stream on November 4, and says it will focus on caring for Mei and helping her stay healthy for as long as possible.
Kira, an 18-year-old female sea otter at Toba Aquarium in Mie Prefecture, died on November 5.
The aquarium said the suspected cause was cardiopulmonary arrest due to respiratory failure.
Kira had shown problems with movement in her legs and hips since around August, and had recently lost weight.
She was born at Adventure World in Wakayama and moved to Toba Aquarium in March 2021.
Her death leaves Mei, a 22-year-old female at Toba Aquarium, as the only sea otter kept in Japan.
- Who
- Kira, an 18-year-old female sea otter at Toba Aquarium.
- What
- She died; the suspected cause was cardiopulmonary arrest due to respiratory failure.
- When
- November 5, at 10:40 a.m.
- Where
- Toba Aquarium in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
- Why
- The suspected cause was cardiopulmonary arrest due to respiratory failure.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kira began showing problems with movement in her legs and hips.
Toba Aquarium announced that visits to see the sea otters and the live stream would be suspended.
Kira was found having convulsions and was moved to the treatment room.
Kira died after treatment and care did not improve her condition.
- Age
- 18 years
- Birth date
- April 21, 2008
- Aquarium
- Toba Aquarium, Mie Prefecture
- Move to Toba
- March 2021
- Sea otters kept in Japan after Kira’s death
- 1, Mei, aged 22
3 sources
What people are saying
Kira’s adorable 모습 helped many people learn about and appreciate the appeal of sea otters.
At the end, she died with her caregivers and Mei nearby, watched over by everyone.