SPECIMEN No.0109 ・ Aquarium
Meiメイ
Name romanized from Japanese; not an official English name.
Sea OtterEnhydra lutrisEN— Endangered
Mei is a Sea Otter recorded at Toba Aquarium. Born May 9, 2004.
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Profile
| Name | Mei (メイ) |
|---|---|
| Species | Sea Otter Enhydra lutris |
| Sex | Female |
| Born | May 9, 2004 |
| Birth Facility | Toba Aquarium |
| Current Facility | Toba Aquarium（Mie） |
| Enclosure | Not disclosed |
| Status | In residence |
| Conservation Status (IUCN) | EN— Endangered |
Timeline
- May 9, 2004 Birth Toba Aquarium Source
Records
Born May 9, 2004, at Toba Aquarium. The aquarium's keeper's diary announced her arrival as 'Mei is born, the first in 20 years,' marking a milestone in sea otter breeding at the aquarium. As of May 2026 she is kept as one of the oldest sea otters in Japan.
On May 8, 2026, Toba Aquarium announced that she was showing age-related loss of appetite and strength, and that it would prioritize her health management, possibly changing feeding times, live camera streaming, or her housing depending on her condition. On her 22nd birthday on May 27, while staff kept a careful eye on her condition, she polished off her cake and crab, showing the appetite of 'the same old Mei.'
The keeper's diary notes that she never misses a chance to sample her tankmate Kira's food, maintaining a hearty appetite despite her age. On May 29, 2026, a special website, 'Rakkopedia,' was launched to share more than 40 years of sea otter husbandry experience, with ongoing updates on Mei and Kira's daily lives.
Family
No family relationships have been confirmed in official announcements.
FAQ
- Where can I meet Mei?
- Mei is recorded at Toba Aquarium in Mie (last verified: 2026-07-06).
- When was Mei born?
- Mei was born May 9, 2004.
- What does Mei’s record tell us?
- Mei is recorded as born on May 9, 2004. The record at Toba Aquarium was last verified on 2026-07-06.
Last verified: ／ Source: aquarium.co.jp aquarium.co.jp aquarium.co.jp