Google celebrates Singapore's Bishan otter family with their own Google Doodle
Otterly adorable felt doll versions of the Bishan otter family are featured on the Google Search bar in Singapore. Here's why they were chosen over the rival Marina otters for the creature feature.
The Bishan otters now have their own Google Doodle. (Photo: Screengrab)
If you've not had much luck spotting the infamous Bishan otter family in the wild, perhaps today is your chance to get up close with them. In a way.
On Monday (Aug 7), Google unveiled their Google Doodle for the Bishan otters, which features an image of five felt otters huddled up against a backdrop of Marina Bay Sands.
The felt otters were handcrafted by designer Helene Leroux who also created the vegetation featured in the Doodle.
So why Aug 7 of all dates? Turns out, seven years ago on this day, a poll conducted by a local publication revealed that Singaporeans voted the Bishan otters as the icon which represented Singapore on her 51st birthday.
It's hard to believe that it's been less than 10 years since these adorable creatures were first spotted in public. The Bishan otters got their name after being seen at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park in 2014. Prior to that, otters had not been sighted since the '70s. They gained international fans after starring in David Attenborough's documentary Wild City.
In recent years, the Bishan otters have continued dominating headlines, though arguably for the wrong reasons. Videos of their fights with the rival Marina otters can easily be found online. The Bishan otters have also caught a lot of flak for breaking into multiple properties to eat koi fish.
