Chapter 104: Chapter 670: Gaining International Popularity
A visitor couldn't help but ask, "Is there a chance that otters could recover in the future?"
The keeper nodded confidently, "There is hope!
Before the 1970s, Singapore's rivers were heavily polluted due to urban development, clogged with garbage and filthy, causing the local hairy-nosed otters to disappear.
Starting in 1977, the government launched a 'river' purification campaign, and by 1998, wild hairy-nosed otters reappeared and began to thrive.
Now, you can see otters in many of Singapore's rivers and wetland parks. They live and hunt in the waterways, coexisting harmoniously with humans, becoming a highlight of the city's ecological landscape.
Those who have visited Singapore might have seen various signs on the streets warning about nearby otters. This environmental restoration process only took a few decades."
"Oh, I think I've seen a video of otter families fighting in Singapore! Two otter families swam towards each other from opposite ends of a river, chittering loudly as they approached, like knights charging into battle. It was quite amusing."
"Their ecological protection is indeed impressive and worth learning from."
The keeper continued, "Another threat is the trend in Japan of keeping otters as pets because they look cute.
Wild otters are very aggressive and spend at least five hours a day hunting. They are energetic and have high environmental needs, being semi-aquatic. They are not suitable as pets at all.
Japan's native otters were declared extinct ten years ago. The small-clawed otters that online influencers keep as pets are all imported. Small-clawed otters are social animals, and capturing a single cub often means the destruction of an entire otter family.
Let me remind everyone, keeping otters as pets is illegal in China. Otters are a second-class protected animal, and there's no such thing as a pet otter."
"Japan really doesn't do well in this regard."
"And those owl cafes, that's also something the Japanese came up with."
A visitor shook their head disdainfully.
Yumiko, hearing this, clutched her skirt and bowed her head in shame.
Although the visitors' discussion wasn't aimed at her, she felt a pang of guilt.
After listening to the keeper's explanation, the visitors dispersed to enjoy watching the otters.
Seeing Yumiko looking a bit dejected, Liu Wei comforted her, "It's okay, it's not like you keep otters as pets."
Yumiko softly said, "I used to really like cute small-clawed otters, watching videos of them interacting with their owners and thinking they were adorable. I even liked those videos.
Even though I didn't keep them, my likes might have made more people see those videos, and some might want to keep them as pets.
From now on, I won't like such videos anymore, and I'll educate my friends about it."
Seeing a donation box with a QR code nearby, she quickly scanned it and donated a hundred yuan for otter conservation.
Looking at the otters in the exhibit, she clasped her hands together and sincerely said, "Gomennasai!"
Liu Wei noticed a downward-sloping passage ahead and exclaimed, "Hey, it looks like we can go down there. Shall we check it out?"
Yumiko adjusted her mood, "Mm!"
Through the glass wall, the green water appeared darker and bluer, with leaves floating on the surface.
A piece of driftwood lay at the bottom, its gnarled roots resembling hair sprouting from a head.
This was probably the most exciting part of the otter exhibit!
One otter floated on the water's surface, its body submerged, paws resting on a tree root.
Another otter, clinging to a root, swam upside down with its head down, skillfully weaving through the gaps between the roots, occasionally blowing bubbles.
Several roots extended outward, forming an arch-like shape.
An otter flipped its belly, kicked off a root, swam through the arch, and surfaced again, moving gracefully.
"Wow!"
Liu Wei couldn't help but exclaim.
They seemed even more agile underwater than penguins!
Of course, penguins are chubby, while otters are slender and flexible, creating a different visual effect.
Yumiko was mesmerized, "They love to play! They're really energetic."
A nearby educational display explained, "Small-clawed otters can swim at speeds of up to 10 km/h. Underwater, they can close their nostrils and ears, and can dive for 6 to 8 minutes."
Another otter dived down.
It swam to the glass wall, turned its head, and curiously looked outside.
Due to the difference in brightness, it usually couldn't see the visitors, but when it got close, it could notice them.
A visitor pressed their face against the glass and waved, "Hi~"
The sudden appearance of a face startled the otter!
It quickly dived to the bottom and hid in a half-buried bamboo basket in the mud.
The basket looked like it had been accidentally dropped by a nearby farmer while picking wild vegetables, carried away by the stream and buried in the mud.
It enriched the underwater environment, adding a touch of charm.
It wasn't just a decoration; the otters could use it for play and hiding, exhibiting interesting behaviors.
At this moment, the otter's head peeked out from the basket, cautiously observing outside.
After a while, feeling safe, it came out again.
The otters swam around, some playing with sticks, others performing fancy swimming moves, spinning 360 degrees while swimming.
The visitors were thrilled, their faces full of excitement, "Wow, this environment is great!"
"The little guys are so cute!"
"I absolutely love this underwater exhibit! I feel like I could watch it all day."
...
Back at school, Yumiko and Liu Wei waved goodbye at the school gate.
"Bye~"
"Mm, let's hang out again next time!"
"Sure."
As soon as Liu Wei returned to his dormitory, he was surrounded by his curious roommates, who bombarded him with questions.
"Spill the beans, how did it go today?"
"How was it walking around the zoo with the pretty Japanese girl? Did you hold hands?"
"You should treat us to a meal!"
"What are you talking about? We just had a normal zoo visit."
Liu Wei downplayed it with his words, but inside, he felt quite pleased.
They were just friends now, but with more zoo visits, their relationship could deepen.
Yumiko returned to her dormitory and posted about her visit on social media, complete with pictures.
The adorable pandas, the amazing director who pets lions, and the fantastic zoo environment made Linhai Zoo a minor hit on Twitter!
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