This 'Otter' Be Fun: Milwaukee Zoo Unveils New Exhibit

MILWAUKEE, WI — The northwest corner of the Milwaukee County Zoo just got a whole lot livelier, not only with the splish and splash of North American River otters, but also with the unveiling of an admissions, parking, concessions and merchandise area set to open Saturday, May 19.

Three female river otters, Emerald, Clover and Shamrock, are taking up residence in the newly-constructed outdoor exhibit, Otter Passage, greeting guests entering the Zoo at this location. Depending upon how the animals acclimate, the otters may rotate time on exhibit, and a male otter will eventually join the group, with the hope of establishing a breeding colony, Zoo officials told Patch.

The exhibit features two pools, a splash pad, a river area with moving water and a 15-foot slide. All components are designed with the animals’ needs and well-being in mind. The exibit's land area includes different substrates like dirt, grass and rock.

Zookeepers who care for the otters expressed a need for the animals to have different materials in which to dig – keeping the active otters engaged and interested. An underwater viewing area, and an artificial hollowed-out tree for kids to enter for an up-close look at the otters’ den, add to the visitor experience.

The official public opening for the West Entrance is 10 a.m. May 19 and 20; resuming daily beginning May 26 through Sept. 3. Beginning Sept. 4, it will be open weekends only through Oct. 31.

Image Via Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo.