Loveland Living Planet Aquarium has its first-ever Asian small-clawed otter pups, born June 6 to parents Kai and Emmie.

The litter includes one male and one female pup, ABC4 reported Thursday, Sept. 17. The pups spent months growing behind the scenes, bonding with their parents and developing out of public view. They are now beginning training with the aquarium's animal care team at the Draper facility.

The pups are not yet named.

"We're thrilled to watch them grow alongside Kai and Emmie and to share their story with our guests," said Michelle Kaylor, the aquarium's director of zoological operations. Kaylor called the births a milestone for the aquarium's conservation work.

The species is listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has maintained a Species Survival Plan for Asian small-clawed otters since 1983 to support captive breeding research.

Visitors may not always see the pups, the aquarium said, as the young otters are still adjusting to their habitat and continuing training. The aquarium is located at 12033 South Lone Peak Parkway in Draper.

The aquarium plans to launch a public contest allowing guests to help choose the pups' names. The aquarium said after the Sept. 17 announcement that contest details would follow within weeks.

The otters live in the Expedition Asia area of the Sam & Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center, which held its grand opening Feb. 20, according to the Draper Journal. The Dell Loy Hansen Family Foundation contributed to the aquarium's recent expansion, and the Asian otter exhibit bears the foundation's name.

Keri Hale, cochair of the Dell Loy Hansen Family Foundation, said the pups give educators a way to teach Utah students about biodiversity and the natural world, with a focus on reaching underserved communities.

What's ahead

The aquarium has not announced a date for the naming contest. Residents can watch for updates at livingplanetaquarium.org.