Escaped otter is home safe but zoo says her pal is still on the loose
Apr 1, 2025, 2:36 PM
Ophelia the escaped zoo otter is back home but Louie remains elusive 鈥� perhaps in search of a mate.
The two North American river otters escaped two weeks ago from the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Ophelia was captured Friday night, the zoo said in a .
Her return was kept under wraps until Tuesday while she was held for observation. A veterinarian鈥檚 examination Monday cleared her for return to her enclosure.
However, she 鈥渕ay not always be visible to guests,鈥� the zoo said. 鈥淥phelia has always been a bit shy and enjoys tucking into things to take naps throughout the day.鈥�
The mammals escaped through a hole in a fence during a snow storm.
Louie remains on the lam. 鈥淭his is otter breeding season and we expect that, as a male otter, Louie is likely ranging a bit further from home than Ophelia did.鈥�
It’s unlikely Louie is too far away, the zoo said. Otters are territorial creatures.
He’s undoubtedly safe 鈥� otters are native to the area 鈥� and poses no harm to humans.
The zoo has had help from a tracker, motion-activated cameras and reports from residents who see the critters, particularly those who are able to take photos or video of the animal.
