Name unveiled for new otter at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

DRAPER, Utah ( ABC4 ) — Last month, the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium asked for the public’s help naming their new Asian small-clawed otter, and now, the votes are in. The aquarium announced that after several rounds of voting and over 1,500 submissions, the public has chosen the name Kai. In their press release, the aquarium said this is short for “kaibigan,” meaning “friend” in Filipino.

“The Aquarium anticipates he will live up to his name with his playful personality and charming antics,” they said.

Kai was born at Ocean Park Hong Kong in 2020 and began his journey to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher earlier this year, where he was temporarily cared for before arriving at his permanent home in Utah.

Guests can visit Kai in the Ford Expedition Asia hall, where the aquarium says he is often found twirling underwater or taking a nap in the rocks.

To honor Kai’s journey and new home in Utah, Utah Ford Stores established the “Paws-itive Adventures Scholarship Fund” for kids to attend school break camps at the aquarium. Christine Famuliner with Your Local Ford Stores presented a $10,000 check to the aquarium on May 15.

“It’s always an honor to work with the Aquarium that provides the community with a place to learn, grow, and to experience. We are ‘Driven to Give’ to provide an opportunity to go on an Expedition,” she said.

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