The otter family at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo will be moving to their new home at the Memphis Zoo on March 5.
According to an SF College Teaching Zoo release, the move is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP), a nationwide effort to sustain and protect the Asian small-clawed otter population in accredited zoos. The move recommendations are made based on the breeding compatibility and needs of the otter populations in zoos.
For SF College Teaching Zoo, the otters Duncan and Chitra arrived in 2019. The two had pups in 2020 and again in 2023. The seven-member family will make the move to the Memphis Zoo.
The move coincides with planned renovations at the SF Teaching Zoo to the otters’ habitat as part of the Zoo’s new master plan.
“We know the otter family is a favorite for many of our guests” said Zoo Director, Jonathan Miot in the release. “They will be missed by students and staff, but we are comforted to know they will be living in a beautiful new home while we renovate the habitat.”
In preparation for their move, the otter family has been participating in a groundbreaking interspecies communication program using FluentPet technology, a system of buttons that allows animals to associate words with actions and objects.
“This is a unique opportunity for both the otters and our students,” said Julie Smith, professor in the Zoo Animal Technology Program in the release. “Our team has been working on innovative training techniques to help ease the otters’ transition to a new facility and new caregivers.”
SF Teaching Zoo is one of the first institutions to expand FluentPet research beyond companion animals as it has trained tortoises, capuchin monkeys and otters to use communication buttons. The otters have been learning words such as “new,” “move,” “otter,” and “human” to help them adapt to their upcoming transition.
“This is the first time any animal in the FluentPet program will be transferred from one zoological facility to another,” Smith said. “The Memphis Zoo team is excited to continue this innovative research.”
Otter Farewell Weekend – March 1-2
The SF Teaching Zoo is inviting members and visitors to say their goodbyes to the otter family at a special farewell event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, March 1-2. The event will include:
- Otter training demonstrations
- Keeper talks
- Crafts and activities
- A special gift for zoo members
Support the Otter Habitat Renovation
To ensure that otters can return to the SF Teaching Zoo in the future, donations are being accepted to support the renovation of their habitat. Contributions can be made online at tinyurl.com/47zda5d2 (type “otters” in the comments). For larger contributions, contact Jonathan Miot at 352-395-5602 or jonathan.miot@sfcollege.edu.
For updates, visit sfcollege.edu/zoo or follow SF Teaching Zoo on social media.