On World Otter Day, the N.C. Zoo preps three rescued otters for eventual release

The three pups, one female and two males, are between 12 to 18 weeks, and arrived at the zoo earlier this month.

Posted 2:51 p.m. May 27, 2020 — Updated 3:01 p.m. May 27, 2020

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

, Go Ask Mom editor

As the world celebrates World Otter Day today, May 27, the North Carolina Zoo had some good news to share: It's caring for three orphaned otters and preparing them for an eventual release back into the wild.

The three pups, one female and two males, are between 12 to 18 weeks and arrived at the zoo earlier this month.

According to the zoo, all three are "ideal candidates" for rehabilitation and release because they were recently rescued without excessive human contact and are in good physical condition.

“We are caring for them as hands-off as possible because we want to preserve their natural behaviors to ensure they have a better chance of surviving in the wild,” said Dr. Jb Minter, the zoo's director of animal health, in a press release.

The three are grouped together because it will help to ensure a successful release into the wild.

“Creating these foster families allows them to socialize with their species, and the younger ones often learn from their older ‘siblings,’” said Halley Buckanoff, veterinarian technician with the zoo's wildlife center, in the release. “Right now, they’re sleeping together, eating alongside each other with no signs of competition, and swimming together. They’re doing great as a group.”

The female otter was found in a parking lot in Hoke County by A Wild Life: Center for Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release. One of the male otters was found in the road in Peletier. The other male otter was found near the Cedar Island Bridge near the body of his mother, who was hit by a car. Both male otters were rescued by the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter. Dr. Emily Christiansen, the chief veterinarian for the three North Carolina Aquariums, arranged for all three to be taken to the zoo, according to the press release.

The otters are transitioning from formula to solid food and catching fish on their own during the next few months. The zoo hopes to release them back into the wild in late summer or early fall.

Some North American river otter facts via the zoo:

They nearly disappeared by the early 20th century because of unregulated trapping, water pollution and wetlands destruction.
In the 1990s, a restoration effort began in the mountains with 267 river otters relocated from coastal North Carolina. The otter population is now considered fully restored and abundant throughout North Carolina.
Otters are curious, playful and excellent swimmers.
They are about three to four feet long and weigh between 12 to 23 pounds.
They are nocturnal, semiaquatic predators who help reduce undesirable fish populations that compete for food with cold-water game fish.
They are active in the wild all year.

The zoo in Asheboro is about 90 minutes from the Triangle, but is closed temporarily because of the pandemic. Since shutting down in mid-March, it's offered a Virtual Visit program, named a baby white rhino and welcomed five red wolf pups.

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