Is Lottie the Otter a Poochie for Pooh?

New character to join Pooh and friends in the Hundred Acre Wood in authorized sequel to the House at Pooh Corner. [Link]

The much loved bear's new friend, who appears in Return to the Hundred Acre Wood, is said to be a "feisty" character who will cause a stir.
The first official follow-up to AA Milne's The House At Pooh Corner, written in 1928, will reveal what happened next to Pooh and friends.
The book is due to be published on 5 October in the UK and US.
The book, which features 10 new stories, is expected to become available in 50 languages around the world.
Lottie, who will feature alongside established favourites including Tigger and Eeyore, is also said to be good at cricket and is a stickler for etiquette.
The book's author David Benedictus said: "Lottie the Otter truly embodies Winnie-the-Pooh's values of friendship and adventure seen throughout Milne's work, thus making the perfect companion for everyone's favourite bear."
Michael Brown, chairman of the Trustees of the Pooh Properties, added: "David's new stories, including the new character, arise naturally out of that world and so, like the original stories, are timeless.
"We hope the new character will appeal to readers of all ages worldwide."

Why the new character? Did the demographics show an 'otter gap'? What's the merchandising potential for Poochie, I mean Lottie?