An orphaned North American river otter, taken in by Bend-based wildlife hospital Think Wild and rehabilitated, has been transferred to the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium. The otter was deemed non-releasable to the wild.
The otter will join one other of his species at the Kansas City Zoo, a female also rescued from the wild. After a quarantine period the otters will be housed together in a 2,000-square-foot habitat that includes a large pool, waterfalls, sand, rock and mulch pits, as well as logs for climbing.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife field office in Baker City brought the orphaned otter pup, along with his sibling, to Bend-based Think Wild in late May. The two otters were found by a ranch manager in Hereford during irrigation work after the pups were flushed from a large irrigation pipe that was likely being used as a den. Attempts to reunite the pups with their mother were unsuccessful.
In a statement, Think Wild said the pups appeared healthy upon intake but were resistant to feedings and initially lost weight despite 24-hour care. Think Wild staff believe the transition to bottle feeding from their mother's care was unfamiliar and difficult for the pups. One of the two siblings died several days after admission.
The surviving otter, estimated to be 5 weeks old at intake, continued to receive formula feeding, vaccinations and a gradual transition to solid foods and fish. Think Wild staff said although he developed well physically, the otter showed signs of stress and behavioral changes following the death of his sibling.
Due to the absence of same-species interaction necessary for normal development, along with a lack of semi-aquatic mammal rehabilitation facilities statewide, Think Wild determined that placement in a zoo, aquarium or educational facility would be best for the otter.
Pauline Hice, director of wildlife rehabilitation at Think Wild, said transferring the otter to a zoo is the most "humane and appropriate solution" for the orphaned otter.
"He will receive excellent care and serve as an ambassador for his species, helping to educate the public about river otter ecology and the importance of protecting wild populations and habitats," said Hice.
Think Wild plans to break ground this fall on a dedicated semi-aquatic mammal rehabilitation enclosure that would allow for long-term and species-appropriate care for otters, beavers and similar wildlife.