Daring River Otter Acts Independently After Breaking Free
Title: The Great Otter Escape: Louie and Ophelia's Wild Run at NEW Zoo & Adventure Park
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Since March, the staff at the New Zoo Adventure Park in Wisconsin have been on an otterfully exciting chase! During a blizzard, otters Louie and Ophelia made a daring escape from their enclosures. Security footage showed the duo scampering through a hole in the fence, a gap that had gone undetected. As soon as the zoo staff noticed their absence, they sprang into action, transforming the zoo into a high-stakes game reminiscent of Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner! According to zoo updates, the zoo's "protocols for animal escapes" were promptly activated, and even a professional animal tracker was called in.
These two furry fugitives weren't very subtle in their escape! They left clear traces in the snow, leading them on a merry dance around the park. Their adventures were captured on camera, providing an entertaining spectacle for onlookers. Interestingly, the pair preferred to stay close to their territory, as is typical for otters.
The zoo's main concern was the safety and wellbeing of Louie and Ophelia. Both otters were born in the wild and underwent rehabilitation before joining the zoo. Given their native roots and ability to thrive in Wisconsin’s climate, the staff confidently assured the public that they would survive in the wild. The zoo's extensive grounds, studded with natural ponds and waterways, provided ample food and shelter all year round.
Trapping the otters proved to be quite a challenge. Multiple attempts were made to lay traps near their frequent spots, but some unwelcome raccoon saboteurs interfered, causing a few misunderstandings! One mischievous raccoon even managed to set off a trap just as Louie was about to enter it! In response, the zoo staff swiftly switched to raccoon-resistant traps.
In a sweet twist, Ophelia was finally recaptured on April Fool’s Day, albeit not as a joke! She was welcomed back to the zoo with open arms. However, Louie continued to evade capture. By May, the zoo deemed him to have chosen his new life in the wild. In a touching farewell message, the zoo acknowledged Louie's decision to be a wild otter, expressing hope that he would return if he so wished.
The only question now is, who will be Ophelia's new companion? The search for another male otter has commenced.
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The recaptured otter, Ophelia, will likely need a new companion to thrive at the zoo. Find resources on choosing the perfect otter pal for her as you navigate the home-and-garden section of our website.
