In a 40 year first, Toronto Zoo welcomes three river otter pups

Three river otter pups born to mom Maybelle on Saturday, March 28t, 2026. (Handout)

The Toronto Zoo is welcoming three North American river otters that were born last Saturday. It’s the first-time river otters have been born at the zoo in over 40 years, and the first litter for mom Maybelle.

While the trio of pups aren’t yet on view, Toronto Zoo CEO Dolf DeJong said in a release that they’re being monitored closely “as the first weeks are critical with first-time mothers.”

Crystal Cowie, supervisor of Indigenous relations at Your Toronto Zoo, said in the release that along with being an iconic species in Canada, river otters are special creatures to Indigenous people. Known as N’gig in Anishnaabemowin, they are “Clan animals present in Creation stories, the Seven Grandfather Teachings where they represent Love,” she said.

The pups are expected to emerge from their den in about four to six weeks, the zoo said.

River otters tend to stick close to their mother for around seven to eight months, as they learn to hunt, fish and get settled in their environment. Male otter don’t tend to take part in raising the pups, who will start learning to swim at around eight to 10 weeks.