Otters in zoos require enrichment that supports their high activity levels and aquatic behavioral repertoire, with research showing significant welfare improvements from well-designed otter habitats.
Otter welfare in zoos illustrates the importance of matching enrichment to species-specific activity budgets. Animals that naturally spend the majority of their waking hours in active foraging and exploration require correspondingly complex and stimulating captive environments. Minimal exhibits that provide only basic physical needs without behavioral complexity create chronic frustration in species evolved for rich, dynamic activity. Otters have also become popular subjects for direct visitor interaction in some Asian facilities — an inappropriate practice that causes stress for animals poorly suited to the noise and unpredictability of public handling.