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Denver Zoo Welcomes New Species Of Otters

DENVER (CBS4) - The Denver Zoo now has two new residents living in Toyota Elephant Passage.

The zoo has welcomed two Asian small-clawed otters. They are a new species to the zoo.

"Barry Kirin" is 10 and came from Georgia Aquarium, while "Asha" is 7 and came from the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

"Visitors can see the two enjoying their large swim channel inside the Eisinger Family Small Clawed Otter Exhibit in Toyota Elephant Passage once it opens to the public on June 1," Sean Andersen-Vie with the Denver Zoo said in a statement.

Andersen-Vie said Asian small-clawed otters are the most social of all otters. They live in extended family groups of up to 20 individuals.

"The otters are found in a number of Southeast Asian countries, from northern India to southeastern China, the Malay Peninsula and parts of Indonesia, but are most commonly seen in Thailand and Malaysia,"  Andersen-Vie said.

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