SEATTLE - Woodland Park Zoo euthanized a male river otter last Thursday following a period of declining health, lethargy and lack of appetite. Zoo staff made the difficult decision based on the decline in his overall condition and his quality of life.

“The otter began experiencing shortness of breath, loss of appetite, decreased activity and decreased exercise tolerance over the last several weeks,” explained zoo General Curator Nancy Hawkes. “Subsequently, with the help of volunteer medical consultants, we performed a cardiac ultrasound and he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. Unfortunately, even with medication, his long-term prognosis was poor.” He was started on medication and showed some improvement, but he began refusing his medications about a week ago and his condition declined rapidly.

The male was one of two wild-born otters that were rescued in the spring of 1996 on Bainbridge Island after being observed without a mother. Because they became accustomed to obtaining their food from humans, they were not suitable candidates for reintroduction into the wild. In March 1997, local schools participated in an otter-naming contest. The male was named Skookum (SKOO-kum), which means strong in Chinook and the female was named Salishan (SAL-ish-shan), which is the name of a Northwest Native American nation.

American river otters are the only truly amphibious members of the weasel family. Their habitat ranges over most of North America in coastal areas, estuaries, freshwater lakes, streams and rivers. Otters prey on what is readily available and easiest to catch, with a primary diet of fish, crayfish, amphibians and birds.

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, top award-winning Woodland ParkZoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.