Rasuka, Japan's oldest sea otter in captivity, has died aged 25, equivalent to around 100 in human years, the central Japan aquarium where she was raised said Sunday.
According to Notojima Aquarium in Ishikawa Prefecture, she had begun to lose her appetite since around winter last year. The life expectancy for sea otters is usually between 15 and 20 years.
Feeding shows for Rasuka, who was brought to Japan from Alaska in the United States in October 1998, began at the aquarium in 1999.
The aquarium will exhibit photos of Rasuka in its sea otter tank area until Sept. 27, with visitors allowed to lay flowers.
Lucky, a 22-year-old male sea otter at Suma Aqualife Park Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, is now believed to be the country's oldest sea otter in captivity, Notojima Aquarium and other sources said.
