WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Nash, the 7-year-old otter introduced at Zoo New York at Thompson Park this past weekend, is settling into his new home.
The otter has been gradually introduced to the zoo’s current otter, Ricky.
“He comes to us from Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo in Millbrook, New York, and he’s been introduced very gradually to our current otter Ricky,” said interim Executive Director Mark Irwin.
Adjusting well
Ricky has been in the exhibit for a while. It has been a big deal to bring in a new face, but Nash seems to be handling it well.
“He’s doing everything that we would like him to do that we’ve expected him to do and be submissive and respecting Ricky’s space,” said Matt Aldrich, a zookeeper.
While there are still some growing pains, the staff at the zoo believes the otters are getting along well.
“We are completely tolerant of each other, and when we go in for food, we might yell at each other a little bit, but we are completely respecting each other’s space now, so that’s been great,” Aldrich said.
Popular exhibit
The otter exhibit opened in 2009, thanks to a donation from Carthage Savings and Loan Association and has been the most popular exhibit in the zoo ever since.
“Our otter exhibit is one of our most popular. It’s always active and that’s a reflection of how active otters are. They pretty much are going or break, so they might sleep a little bit, but then they are up and very active throughout the day, usually,” Irwin said.
You can see the otters for yourself. Zoo New York is open seven days a week throughout the summer.
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