One of the much-loved resident otters at WWT London Wetland Centre is celebrating a special milestone this week as Asian small-clawed otter Tod turns 10 on 3 March.
To mark the occasion, keepers treated Tod and his partner Honey to a carefully prepared seafood platter packed with his favourite foods, including plenty of shrimp, which is Tod’s top choice, alongside crayfish, razor clams, trout and a frozen heart made from ground trout and sand eel.
Calvin Allen, Grounds and Living Collections Manager at WWT London Wetland Centre, said: “Turning 10 is a fantastic milestone for Tod and we wanted to celebrate in a way we knew he would love. Shrimp has always been his favourite, so a seafood platter full of his preferred treats felt like the perfect way to mark his big day. It was wonderful to see both Tod and Honey so excited and enjoying every bite.”
The pair went straight in, crunching and nibbling their way through the spread with enthusiasm. Tod was especially focused on the shrimp, happily enjoying them in front of his birthday platter, while Honey confidently joined in and sampled the selection.
The otters receive daily enrichment at feeding times to encourage natural behaviours such as foraging and exploring. Special themed treats like this birthday surprise provide extra stimulation and variety, helping to keep the pair active and engaged.
Visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the birthday boy can find Tod and Honey at WWT London Wetland Centre, open daily from 10am to 4.30pm, with otter talks taking place at 11am and 2pm.
