North American River Otters at GWDC

The Banks of the Yellowstone River riparian exhibit featuring North American River Otters, opened on September 10th, 2019. While visiting the building, expect to see the otters curiously exploring their habitat, playing in the water or lounging in the sand pit. The building is also home to Yellowstone cutthroat trout and arctic grayling.

Currently, we have three males and two females that have come to us from other reputable wildlife facilities.

The otters are rotated in and out of the habitat throughout the day, and spend the rest of their time either in their dens or in a behind-the-scenes outdoor play area. Animal keepers carry out enrichment between each rotation adding food and objects of interest to the habitats for the otters to interact with. This creates an outlet for the otters’ natural instincts for play and curiosity.

While visiting the building, expect to see the otters curiously exploring their habitat, playing in the water, or lounging in the sand pit.

Meet the Otters:

Aspen

Came to the GWDC when she was 10 months old in December of 2018 from the Pittsburgh Zoo with her sister, Willow. She’s lively and intelligent and a great problem solver. Adopt Aspen.

Willow

Likes to explore the habitat searching for food. On a sunny day she can be found napping in a sunny spot. She’s very playful splitting most of her time between the water and sand pile while engaging with her sister. Adopt Willow.

Cliff

Arrived at the Center as a juvenile in December of 2018 with his brother Wade. He’s charming and uses his highly developed social skills to enthusiastically wrestle with his brother in the water or the sand.  Adopt Cliff.

Wade

Came to the GWDC from Zoo Montana in Billings. He spends the majority of his time thoroughly investigating the pools and crevices for food. Often, he can be seen racing and diving across the habitat. Adopt Wade.

Clarke

The Brandywine Zoo in Delaware was Clarke’s previous home. He arrived at the Center in November of 2018. He was brought into captivity after he was found injured in the wild. He eagerly forages the habitat, is a strong swimmer and enjoys grooming and conditioning his fur in the sun-warmed sand. Adopt Clarke.

Moe

Moe arrived from the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA on September 8, 2020 at two years old. As a young adult, he’s just reaching maturity and currently comes out on habitat by himself, though the animal care team hopes to incorporate him into a larger social group with some of the other otters at the Center in the future. On his own, he is a strong swimmer and confident forager, and he eagerly plays with and investigates new and exciting enrichment to the delight of visitors. Moe will be able to be adopted in the near future!