The keeping of smooth-coated and small-clawed otters as pets has exploded in popularity in Japan, Thailand, and social media globally, driving wild capture that causes severe welfare harms and population declines.
Wild-caught otter cubs lose their mother and family group — highly social animals for whom social bonds are fundamental welfare requirements. Capture and transport cause severe acute stress. Captive otters in inadequate conditions show stereotypic behaviour, self-mutilation, and failure to thrive. 'Otter cafes' in Japan keep otters in small enclosures with constant handling by strangers — extreme stress for wild-tempered animals. Social media promotion of otter pets creates demand that drives trafficking of wild cubs. The welfare of individual otters in the pet trade is severely compromised by both capture and captive conditions.