Otter News Archive

Florida Aquarium Adopts an Orphaned River Otter

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16th March 2010

Tom Wagner

Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, Lorain, Ohio, USA

Tampa, FL - A 2-month-old orphaned river otter has found a home at The Florida Aquarium after a family in Brandon, Florida found the pup in a weakened state and took her to a local veterinarian which in turn contacted The Florida Aquarium.

The aquarium has an extensive river otter rehabilitation program and has already made great progress with the otter pup which has started eating fish cut into pieces. Soon swimming lessons will begin as otter pups are not born with the ability to swim and must be taught by their parents (or in this case, its foster parents at the aquarium).

“While these animals appear cute and harmless,” said Florida Aquarium Spokesperson Tom Wagner, “it is extremely important to remember they are wild animals and shouldn’t be fed or approached. We take it for granted with animals like alligators, but the same rules should apply to all wild animals… even the cute ones. River otters have very sharp teeth and are capable of carrying rabies just like any other mammal.”

Photo caption: The female river otter pup is about 2 months old and has already transition from milk to small pieces of fish. Soon Swimming 101 will begin to teach the animal how to swim on its own. Photo courtesy The Florida Aquarium

To view Florida Aquarium's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-508-The_Florida_Aquarium