The Museum of Discovery and Science announced today that it will officially welcome its new North American River Otter to the Museum’s otter family on Sunday, May 20, 2018. Terry the Otter Homecoming Celebration begins with a special introductory “splash-down” in the otter habitat by Terry at 12:30 p.m. Additional otter-related activities for the entire family will occur throughout the day.

Terry the Otter is named in honor of Terry Stiles, who was one of the Museum’s founding trustees and a huge fan of our otters!  The otters always held a very special place in Mr. Stiles’ heart and he provided support for their programs.  Terry the Otter will be making his debut in conjunction with the opening weekend of the new traveling exhibit “Rescue” locally sponsored by Holy Cross Hospital.

Terry the Otter is a healthy male weighing almost 18 lbs., is approximately two to three years old, and was rescued from Louisiana. The Museum follows AZA husbandry protocols, which requires a 30-day quarantine period for new animals. When he arrived, Terry was put in quarantine, during which he was kept separate from the other otters to ensure he did not have any maladies that could be transmitted to the other otters.  Terry passed the required quarantine period with flying colors. The Museum’s otter keepers have started teaching Terry the communication techniques the other otters know such as target, whistle, and shifting training. The purpose of this training is not for any kind of public performing, but enables the otter keepers to better communicate with Terry, thereby allowing them to provide the upmost care for him.  Terry is extremely intelligent and has quickly learned several behaviors. He is also slowly being introduced to each of the Museum’s otter family – Linus, Jaffar, and Joey.

More information on the exhibit available HERE.