SPECIMEN No.0065 ・ Aquarium
Popoポポ
Name romanized from Japanese; not an official English name.
Asian Small-clawed OtterAonyx cinereusVU— Vulnerable
Popo is an Asian Small-clawed Otter recorded at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. Born around 2019.
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Profile
| Name | Popo (ポポ) |
|---|---|
| Species | Asian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus |
| Sex | Unknown |
| Born | around 2019 |
| Birth Facility | Not disclosed |
| Current Facility | Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan（Osaka） |
| Enclosure | 日本の森 |
| Status | In residence |
| Conservation Status (IUCN) | VU— Vulnerable |
Timeline
- May 27, 2026 Move Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan Source
Records
In 2019, at about 3 to 4 months old, he was seized by customs in connection with a smuggling case, and Kaiyukan took him in. Commercial trade in Asian small-clawed otters was banned under CITES in 2019, and there are cases of aquariums and zoos taking in animals rescued from smuggling busts.
An observation log from May 27, 2026, described him carefully inspecting the newly installed steps in the backup-room pool and then showing how much he liked them, playing with ice on them.
By taking in animals rescued from smuggling, Kaiyukan works on both species conservation and public awareness.
As Asian small-clawed otters grew popular on social media, illegal keeping and trading of them as pets became a social problem, with a string of smuggling busts in Japan as well. Popo's presence also serves as a teaching tool for conveying that issue to visitors.
Family
No family relationships have been confirmed in official announcements.
FAQ
- Where can I meet Popo?
- Popo is recorded at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in Osaka (last verified: 2026-09-26).
- When was Popo born?
- Popo was born around 2019 (shown at the precision published by the official source).
- What does Popo’s record tell us?
- Popo is recorded as born on around 2019. The record at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan was last verified on 2026-09-26.
Last verified: ／ Source: www.kaiyukan.com www.kaiyukan.com www.kaiyukan.com