The Giant Otter reserve is home to Mora and Alexandra, two female Giant Otters who arrived at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in September 2015 from the Duisburg Zoo in Germany. 

Giant River Otters are native to South America. They are the longest member of the weasel family, growing up to a length of 5.6ft and live in the rivers and creeks of the Amazon, Orinoco and La Plata rivers systems. They swim by propelling themselves with their powerful tails and flexing their long bodies. They also have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close whilst in the water.

They are very social animals and operate in family groups of up to nine individuals comprised of a breeding pair and their offspring. Known locally as ‘river wolves’, these Otters are highly skilled predators, catching a diet primarily of fish and occasionally small Caiman and Snakes.

As one of South America’s top carnivore’s Giant Otters have few natural predators, except occasionally for Jaguars, Pumas and Caiman.