Beloved River Otter Otis Dies at Age 20 at Zoo New York

Watertown, NY – Zoo New York at Thompson Park is mourning the loss of one of its most cherished residents. Otis, a North American river otter who became a symbol of conservation success and a favorite among the visitors, passed away unexpectantly last week at the age of 20.

            According to zoo officials, Otis appeared to be in good health leading up to his passing. Despite typical age-related conditions, he remained energetic – playing with his son Ricky, eating well, and enjoying the recent snowfall. A necropsy later determined that Otis likely died from lymphoma, a disease that is relatively common in older otters.

            Otis lived far beyond the average lifespan for his species. Zoo New York staff believe he was among the oldest river otters in professional care in North America, reaching approximately 20 years and 9 months of age.

            Born in 2005 as part of a conservation breeding program, Otis represented a major success story for wildlife restoration in New York State. River otters had disappeared from much of the state in the 1990s due to habitat loss and unregulated trapping. Conservation efforts helped reestablish the species, and today, river otters have rebounded to healthy population levels and are no longer listed as threatened or endangered.

            During his time at Zoo New York, Otis helped further that mission. Otis was paired with a female otter named Annie and together they raised pups – including Ricky, who still resides at the zoo. Visitors frequently watched Otis and Ricky swim, splash, and interact in their habitat, often performing playful somersaults in the water.

            Otis was also known for his intelligence and responsiveness during training sessions, as well as his gentle, curious personality. When he was not entertaining guests, keepers often found him resting or grooming Ricky.

            His primary keeper, Steve Chorma, reflected on Otis’ impact, saying the otter’s spirit and resilience left a lasting impression on both staff and the community. Zoo officials say Otis’ life served as a constant reminder of the importance of conservation and animal care.

            Zoo New York staff are now closely monitoring Ricky as he adjusts to the loss. They say Otis’ legacy will live on through the countless visitors who learned about native wildlife through him.

Source: Zoo New York at Thompson Park