Three giant otter pups have made their debut at the Los Angeles Zoo.

The pups, two male and one female, were born in late March, joining two juvenile siblings.

They were introduced to the public last Thursday (16 July).

Zoo staffers say many otter pups don't survive to maturity in zoos. The staff put special effort into designing the new otter habitat in the American rainforest area with temperature-controlled holding areas, multiple nest boxes and a natural environment for the animals to explore.

The South American giant otter lives in freshwater streams and rivers, has thick dense fur and is an endangered because of habitat destruction and poaching.

The pups have yet to be named.

AP Television

Los Angeles, 16 July 2015

1. Giant otter family slides down the water slide

2. Otter eating fish

3. Otter pups coming down the water slide

4. Otters eating and playing on the rocks

5. Otter pup sitting on a rock and shaking water off his head like a dog

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Dean Lofgren, Los Angeles Zoo

"Giant river otters are endangered species, and here at the Los Angeles Zoo, they are a part of our SSP or Species Survival Plan, so to have pups born here at the zoo is awesome."

7. Otter pup eating fish

8. Otter family swimming

9. Otter pup chewing raw fish

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Dean Lofgren, Los Angeles Zoo

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AP TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Los Angeles, California - 16 July 2015

1. Giant otter family slides down the water slide

2. Otter eating fish

3. Otter pups coming down the water slide

4. Otters eating and playing on the rocks

5. Otter pup sitting on a rock and shaking water off his head like a dog

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Dean Lofgren, Los Angeles Zoo

"Giant river otters are endangered species, and here at the Los Angeles Zoo, they are a part of our SSP or Species Survival Plan, so to have pups born here at the zoo is awesome."

7. Otter pup eating fish

8. Otter family swimming

9. Otter pup chewing raw fish

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Dean Lofgren, Los Angeles Zoo

"Mom and dad are very laid back, you know they are very protective of the pups, but they are pretty laid back. And the younger ones, you know, sometimes, they are not sure what's going on, like you know going into the water for the first time. Their parents teach them everything."

11. Otter family swimming to shore and shaking off water

12. Otter pups squeaks

13. Three pups eating fish

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Dean Lofgren, Los Angeles Zoo:

"Otters! See?"

15. Otter pup walking

16. "Giant at home" sign next to the Otters' water tank

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