LANSING, Mich. — Potter Park Zoo in Lansing welcomed three North American river otter pups Feb. 2. The pups are the fourth litter born to river otter Nkeke, and are also her second set of triplets.
The triplets came in weighing 113 grams, 109 grams and 96 grams respectively; the pups weighed as much as a deck of playing cards.
OTTERLY ADORABLE | New river otter pups at Lansing Zoo
The zoo said that initial exams of the otter look promising. However, Potter Park Zoo’s Director of Animal Health, Dr. Ronan Eustace, acknowledged that raising triplets comes with its challenges.
“Triplets can be demanding for otter mothers,” noted Eustace. “We’re cautiously optimistic that Nkeke will be able to care for all three without the need for veterinary intervention.”
The zoo said their animal care team has been keeping an eye on the pups and making sure they have been nursing regularly. They said they will continue to monitor them closely to ensure their healthy growth and development.
The zoo said the pup's mother, Nkeke, originally from the Roger Williams Zoo in Rhode Island, has been a resident of Potter Park Zoo since 2016. She shares her habitat with Miles, the father of the otter pups, who was born at the zoo in 2013.
"As part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Nkeke and Miles were selected to breed, resulting in the birth of ten pups to date," read the zoo's announcement.
“We’re otterly overjoyed to welcome our newest otter trio to the zoo,” said Zookeeper Carolyn Schulte. “Nkeke is an incredible mom, and she and her pups are doing well. We’re eagerly awaiting the chance to introduce these adorable otter pups to our wonderful community.”
The zoo said Nkeke and her pups will be visible to the public this summer, for more information you can visit potterparkzoo.org.
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