Otter News Archive

Help me, otter, you're my only hope

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14th May 2010

Carol Motsinger

Asheville Citizen-Times, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

I know Jedis are supposed to be stoic, Buddhist types, but at this news I cannot help but scream like Luke Skywalker when Darth Vader severed his hand.

There is a very real chance the new otter at the Western North Carolina Nature Center will be named Obiwan. Yes, as in the “Star Wars” character, Obi-wan. Last week, the folks at the center announced the five finalists in their naming contest: Mo, Ike, Twist, Pitt and Obiwan. The online voting ends May 20.

But when there is a candidate in the race endorsed by the Force, can you even call it a contest? Who can resist the mental image of an otter defeating the Dark Side with the quick strike of his light saber? Why isn't that a YouTube video? And why did I just admit to searching “otter and lightsaber” on YouTube?

I also searched Obiwan online, seeing if there was any possibility that this name could reference anything other than the Obi-wan Kenobi. Unless the person who suggested Obiwan really likes a bar in Beijing or a type of 1970s yacht, this contestant has to be really into Jedi knights who become more powerful in death.

An otter will make a fine ode to Obi-wan. The otter's fuzzy little face makes it seem more of an Ewok type, but let's give the guy more credit. He has nimble little hands suitable for light-saber duels, and he's so quick, he could totally take out Tusken Raiders. And I feel that if there was a Death Star to be destroyed, he wouldn't fail as our only hope.

So keep that in mind when you vote. (Go to www.wildwnc.org and click on otter naming contest link before the May 20 deadline.)

You don't need to see the others. Obiwan is the name you're are looking for.

Even if he ends up named after some pretty boy in Hollywood, this otter will add so much to the little universe the nature center has created. With its full cast of characters, from the Imperial sheep to the Wookie-like bears, this facility offers an expansive access to all the fascinating critters the real world offers.

As much as of a delight as it is to dream of light sabers and otters, the nature center is a true, real educational and entertainment resource in this area. And as this name contest has revealed, we know now the force is strong with this place, too