Summary:
– The 10th anniversary of having North American River Otters at the Aquarium of the Bay was celebrated with a River Otter Snow Day.
– River otters are a great way to highlight the interconnectedness of the watershed in the Bay Area.
– The aquarium has four otters, each with a unique name and background story.
Can you imagine what it would be like to have a mid-summer snow day? Well, that’s exactly how we celebrated the 10th anniversary of having North American River Otters here at the Aquarium of the Bay. And let me tell you; it was a blast! Seeing these adorable creatures play in the snow brought smiles to everyone’s faces, young and old.
In our first picture, we have Sienna, a young visitor who adores otters. At just 3 ½ years old, she’s already a big fan. She watched YouTube videos of otters and was thrilled to see them in person. Her grandma, Laurie Grimes Ballentine, sent us a picture of Sienna with Ollie the Otter, and we’re grateful for her permission to share it. Seeing the joy otters bring to people of all ages is heartwarming.
Now, on to our second picture. Here, you’ll see one of our staff members holding a collection of stuffed animals. But these are not just any stuffed animals – each one is named after a different otter at the aquarium. It’s fun to engage visitors and get them excited about learning more about these fascinating creatures. Who knew stuffed animals could be so educational?
And finally, in the third picture, we have two more humans hanging out with Ollie the Otter. It’s hard to tell who’s having more fun – the humans or Ollie himself. One thing’s for sure, though, spending time with otters is always a recipe for laughter and joy.
But let’s step back and learn more about these amazing creatures. River otters can be found throughout the Bay Area and serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the watershed, from the Sierras to the Sea. They play a vital role in the ecosystem, helping maintain a healthy balance in their habitats. Their presence is a sign of a thriving ecosystem.
At the Aquarium of the Bay, we are fortunate to have four North American river otters on exhibit. Let me introduce you to each one:
– Ryer: Named after the island in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in Solano County, California, Ryer is the brother of Baxter. Both were born at the Oakland Zoo in 2013. These two otters are quite the dynamic duo, always getting into mischief and keeping our staff on their toes.
– Baxter: Baxter is named after Baxter Creek, a three-branch creek in Richmond and El Cerrito, California. He is Ryer’s brother and was also born at the Oakland Zoo in 2013. Baxter is known for his playful nature and love of exploring new surroundings.
– Shasta: Shasta, named after Mount Shasta in Northern California, is a male otter estimated to have been born in 2009 or 2010. He was rescued from the fur trade and arrived at the aquarium in 2013. Shasta has had quite the journey, and we’re proud to provide him with a safe and loving home.
– Tahoe: Last but certainly not least, we have Tahoe. Named after the stunning Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Tahoe is the half-brother of Baxter and Ryer. They share the same mother and were born at the Oakland Zoo in 2016. Tahoe is known for his playful antics and his love of swimming.
Having these otters at the aquarium allows us to educate visitors about the importance of preserving our natural habitats and protecting these incredible creatures. We strive to provide them with state-of-the-art care in compliance with AZA standards. We are proud to be leaders in free-contact training with North American river otters, ensuring their well-being while allowing them to exhibit their natural behaviors.
So, the next time you visit the Aquarium of the Bay, stop by and say hello to our beloved otters. They are adorable and entertaining and serve as ambassadors for the entire San Francisco Bay watershed. Let them inspire and motivate you to appreciate the beauty and interconnectedness of our natural world. And who knows, you might even leave with a newfound appreciation for snow days and otters!
Remember, nature has a way of captivating us, and these otters are no exception. So come on over, dive into the world of North American river otters, and let their charm and playful spirit uplift your day.
*****
Source Description
On Tuesday, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of having North American River Otters at the Aquarium of the Bay with a mid-summer River Otter Snow Day. Who wouldn’t love to play in a little snow right now?
In our first picture, you’ll see Sienna, one of our younger guests at 3 ½ years old. She loves otters. He loves them. She watches YouTube videos and enjoys seeing them in person. (Her grandma @lauriegrimesballentine sent us this picture of Sienna with Ollie the Otter and permitted us to use it.)
In the second picture, one of our staff members is holding a full collection of stuffies, each one named for a different one of our otters.
In the third, we have two more humans hanging out with Ollie. I can’t tell who’s having more fun. Can you?
River otters are found throughout the Bay Area and are a great way to communicate the interconnectedness of the watershed – from the Sierras to the Sea. They are part of a greater effort to connect everyone to the San Francisco Bay and the entire San Francisco Bay watershed. We have 4 North American river otters on exhibit. Ryer and Baxter were born February 24, 2013, Tahoe was born February 20, 2016, and Shasta was rescued from the fur trade in Louisiana. Since coming to the Aquarium of the Bay, our otters have received state-of-the-art animal care compliant with AZA standards. We are leaders in free-contact training with North American river otters.
Here is additional background on our otters:
Ryer: Named for the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta island in Solano County, California; Brother of Baxter, born at the Oakland Zoo in 2013.
Baxter: Named for Baxter Creek, a three-branch creek in Richmond and El Cerrito, California; Brother of Ryer, born at the Oakland Zoo in 2013.
Shasta: Named for Mount Shasta in Northern California, just north of Redding; male otter estimated to have been born in 2009 or 2010. Rescued from the fur trade, they arrived at the aquarium in 2013.
Tahoe: Named for Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains; Half-brother of Baxter and Ryer (same mother), born at the Oakland Zoo in 2016.
