Potter Park Zoo Mourns Passing of Beloved River Otter

LANSING, MI — Potter Park Zoo staff is deeply sadden to announce today that Shaq, a male 21-year-old North American River Otter, was euthanized early Wednesday morning.

“Shaq was a favorite among Zoo visitors, staff, and volunteers,”
said Zoo Director Gerry Brady. “He will be greatly missed.”

The Zoo veterinarians and animal care staff reached this painful decision after a recent decline in Shaq’s health due to problems associated with advanced age and lack of response to treatment.

“Making the decision to euthanize one of the Zoo’s animals is one of the toughest decisions we face here at the Zoo,” said Brady. “Our main focus is the health and well-being of the animals and when they reach a time where their quality of life is in question, the Zoo family comes together and decides what is best for the animal.”

Born April 12, 1989 in Central Florida, Shaq was one of the country’s oldest captive North American River Otters. He arrived at Potter Park Zoo on October 5, 1998, from the Pittsburg Zoo in Pennsylvania. Shaq is survived by two members of the Zoo’s otter family.

The average life expectancy of river otters in the wild is 8 to 10 years. However, due to advances in medical care and husbandry techniques, otters in zoos can live anywhere between 18 and 25 years.

“Shaq enjoyed many long and active years due in part to the diligent care and enrichment he received throughout his long life,” explained Brady

As standard procedure, a necropsy was preformed by Veterinary pathologists from the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health at Michigan State University.

North American River Otters are endemic to the North American continent, are often found along waterways and coasts. Though considered a species of least concern, the river otter population still faces declines from habitat loss and environmental pollution.

Potter Park Zoo is located at 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave. within Potter Park along the Red Cedar River in Lansing, Michigan. The zoo is open daily year-round, summer hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (517) 483-4222 or visit www.potterparkzoo.org

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