Otters At Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo Display Their Artistic Talent

Visitors will be amazed to see otters get up on their little feet, grab a brush, and paint a picture at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. One of the largest and most diverse aquariums in the world will present the ‘Great Otter Art Exhibition,’ where the talented freshwater mammals will perform until December 30, 2013.

Cato, Tiny, Bitoy and Diego, all six-year-old male otters, have become masters of the brush. The high-spirited little artists are extremely active and have learned the new skill as part of their enrichment training. They have also been provided a new playground area within Underwater Zoo.

The new campaign, ‘Great Otter Art Exhibition,’ will include interactive and informative presentations by aquatic and marine educators offering visitors the opportunity to participate in selecting colours for the paintings. With the addition of a children’s art corner, young visitors will be encouraged to create their own works of art. An onsite gallery will showcase all the otter’s paintings, and visitors will have the opportunity to purchase the art pieces to take home as a lovely souvenir.

Maitha Al Dossari, Chief Operating Officer of Emaar Retail LLC, said: “Otters are among the favourite species of Underwater Zoo’s visitors. With their adorable features and playful personality, it’s easy to understand their popularity. As they are active, clever and eager to learn, our qualified trainers have taught them new behaviours that they’ve welcomed with enthusiasm. We hope our visitors will enjoy getting to know them better and that they will be impressed by their artistic skills.”

The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest otter species in the world, weighing less than 5 kg. They live in mangrove swamps and the freshwater wetlands of India, China, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. They eat predominantly fish, shellfish, amphibians and small mammals. Their paws are a distinctive feature, allowing a high degree of manual dexterity.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, managed by Emaar Retail LLC, features a 270-degree walkthrough tunnel. Underwater Zoo, located on Level 2 above the main aquarium tank, presents the bio-diversity in different ecological zones including Rainforest, Rocky Shore and Living Ocean. Apart from Humboldt Penguins and Caiman Crocodiles, the animals featured here include Piranhas, Giant Spider Crabs, Water Rats, Sea Jellies and Clown fish.

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Dec 3, 2013

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