Two boisterous, squeaky river otter pups, orphaned this month in different parts of the state, have just taken up residence at the Oregon Zoo. The female was found wandering a construction site near Gold Beach, Oregon. Oregon State Police brought her to Wildlife Images Rehabilitation & Education Center in nearby Josephine County. Wildlife Images, a non-profit facility, cared for the animal while final placement was determined by staff at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Since the young otter could not be reunited with her mom, and would not be able to survive in the wild without her, ODFW contacted the Oregon Zoo to see if it had space available once the pup’s health stabilized. The female is estimated to be about 6 weeks old, and weighed about 3.5 pounds on arrival. The male, who was suffering from a respiratory infection, was found near a golf course in McMinnville and was cared for at the Turtle Ridge Wildlife Center near Salem. The male is about 4 weeks old and weighs about 2.4 pounds. “Our preference for them would have been rehab and release,” said Amy Cutting, who oversees the zoo’s Great Northwest area. “However, wildlife officials said that was not possible so we’re happy we could give them a second chance. We have a good track record with orphaned otters. Our adult otter, Tilly, was also rescued as a pup, and she’s helped raise orphan as well.”
