In pictures: Otter pups pop out to play

Edinburgh Zoo’s Oriental short-clawed otters welcomed five new-borns in July, and yesterday the pups, now 10 weeks old, were out and about in their enclosure.

Oriental short-clawed otters are a close knit family group, often known as a”romp”. Mum, dad and older offspring all take part in rearing and protecting the young pups. Oriental short-clawed otters, native to south-east Asia, are the smallest otter species in the world, and under threat in the wild.

The quintuplets were born to mum Elena and dad Ray, their third litter since arriving at the zoo, making them experts when it comes to pup-care.

Keeper Lorna Hughes said the three females and two males were Elena and Ray’s largest litter to date.

She said: “Since being introduced to each other in 2010, Elena and Ray quickly hit it off and have proven to be real naturals when it comes to rearing their youngsters.

“We have just sexed the youngsters, but we have yet to name them; we usually wait until we know their characters a little better.

“So far they seem to be quite boisterous and adventurous, and they definitely like to be first in the queue when it comes to feeding time.

“They are very playful, and early morning or late afternoon is when they’re often out and playing with each other or splashing in their pools.”

Edinburgh Zoo said the youngsters would go on to “play an important part” in the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s conservation programme.