Orphaned Otters Released into the Wild After Collaboration by Three N.C. Agencies

ASHEBORO, NC – Two North American river otter pups orphaned earlier this year at the North Carolina coast have been successfully rehabilitated and released as part of a cooperative effort between The NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island and North Carolina Zoo. The effort was based on valuable input and cooperation among the participating agencies to help ensure the animals’ well-being.

Found orphaned near Engelhard, N.C, on April 23, 2018, the female pups were just six weeks old after their mother was killed by a car. After they were found by a passerby, the pups were rescued by the NCWRC and taken to North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island where staff cared for them. The aquarium staff assessed their condition and decided they were good candidates for release back into the wild because they had not been exposed to excessive human contact.

The sister pups were transported to North Carolina Zoo’s Valerie H. Schindler Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for rehabilitation where they spent just under 16 weeks in the Zoo’s care.

The Zoo’s wildlife rehab center is the only center of its kind in the state that offers a safe, outdoor, aquatic enclosure. The otters received training on how to catch fish (something their mother would have taught them) as an example of how they were prepared for a return to the wild.

The Zoo coordinated the otters’ release with the aquarium and the NCWRC. The release took place in late August in Hertford County.

Halley Buckanoff, a veterinary technician for the Zoo’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, said staff tended to their specialized needs including diet, housing, and general care. She said one of the biggest challenges is ensuring the animals maintained all of their wild behaviors and an appropriate fear of humans, so they can have all the skills necessary for a successful life in the wild.

“We look forward to more interagency collaborations in assisting North Carolina native wildlife,” said Buckanoff.

Colleen Olfenbuttel, the Black Bear and Furbearer Biologist with the NCWRC, said it’s critical the otters learned the skills need to survive in the wild.

“That is why the Commission appreciates the expertise the North Carolina Zoo provides in properly rehabilitating the otters,” she said. “People should not feed an orphaned wild animal because it will harm the animal.  Instead, the Commission encourages the public to immediately call our NC Wildlife Helpline (866-318-2401) or one of our licensed rehabilitators if they suspect there is a young animal that is orphaned.”

"It was so great to be able to be there for a successful release," said Kristin Clark, assistant husbandry curator for the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, who conducted the initial evaluation. 

Clark said that during the transportation back to the coast, they made sure to reduce noise including not talking or conducting any interactions that could familiarize the otters with human activity.

She added: “This is exactly the kind of outcome we'd like to see in these situations, healthy otters that are not conditioned to human interaction released back to their natural environment.” 

“Kudos to the staff of all of these agencies who worked together to care for and prepare these orphaned otters for their return to their native environment,” said Susi H. Hamilton, secretary of N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “I’m so proud to work with such caring and dedicated people.”

North American river otters had almost disappeared by the early 20th century because of unregulated trapping, water pollution, and wetlands destruction. In the 1990s, the NCWRC began a restoration effort in the mountains with 267 river otters relocated from coastal North Carolina. Thanks to this program, the otter population is now considered fully restored and abundant throughout North Carolina.

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About the North Carolina Zoo

At the North Carolina Zoo, we celebrate nature. As the world’s largest natural habitat Zoo, we inspire a lifelong curiosity about animals for the hundreds of thousands of people who visit our Zoo each year. Our dedicated team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate care for the more than 1,600 animals and 52,000 plants that call our Park home. We also lead efforts locally and globally to protect wildlife and wild places because we believe nature’s diversity is critical for our collective future. The North Carolina Zoo invites all of our guests to witness the majesty of the wild in the heart of North Carolina and welcomes everyone to join in our mission to protect nature’s diversity. Visit NCZoo.org to begin your life-changing journey. 

About the N.C. Aquarium

The N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is dedicated to the mission of “Inspiring appreciation and conservation of North Carolina’s aquatic environments.” The aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Info at ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island. 

About the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

Since 1947, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state’s fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use and public input. The Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and sporting activities. Get N.C. Wildlife Update — news including season dates, bag limits, legislative updates and more — delivered free to your Inbox from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

About the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.

NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call 919- 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.

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