Otter News Archive

Otter named Mother of the Year at Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo

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8th May 2010

Stephanie Clarke

The News-Tribune, Tacoma, Washington, USA

Mothers rule at the zoo this weekend.

Denali, an Asian small-clawed otter at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, was chosen by the public as the 2010 Mother of the Year.

With 48 percent of the vote, she handily beat out her two maternal competitors: Amelia the meerkat and Baby Bean the anoa, a dwarf buffalo. The meeerkat took in 32 percent of the vote and the anoa garnered 20 percent.

The zoo plans some extra specials activities in honor of Mother’s Day. On Saturday, all human mothers will receive half off the general admission. On Sunday, Denali’s keepers will shower her with special treats at 10 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. She’ll enjoy a tasty treat of fish and “popsicles” made with beef blood and will spend her time playing with toys in the exhibit’s kiddie pool.

“She deserves it,” said Paul Povey, a senior zoo staff biologist. “She’s a high-energy, non-stop mom, who pays attention to every detail and doesn’t miss a thing!”

Denali has had two litters of three otters over the past few years – one with three males and one with two males and a female.

She and her impressive brood rule the Asian Forest Sanctuary, according to the release.

Amelia the meerkat has had two litters of four offspring each and all eight of them have been moved to other zoos around the country.

Baby Bean the anoa had her baby, Cocoa Bean, on July 4, 2007. She and Cocoa are also on exhibit in the zoo’s Asian Forest Sanctuary.