14 DAY TRIAL // The Binghamton Zoo in the United States is now home to three North American river otter pups, and desperately needs help finding suitable names for them.
According to Zoo Borns, the river otter pups arrived into this world about three and a half weeks ago, on March 1.
Their parents are named Elaine and Leroy, and both are proud residents of the Binghamton Zoo since 2007, the same source informs.
Zoo employees say that Elaine is doing a very good job looking after its offspring, and presently cares for them in a fairly secluded den.
Due to the fact that the North American river otter pups are still very young and easily spooked, they have not yet made their public debut.
However, caretakers say that, as soon as they grow stronger and more confident, their mom will take them for their first swim.
Once they mature, the otters will be sent to other facilities and entered into breeding programs.
“It is important that we continue to breed and maintain this species in our zoos. In the wild they are considered an indicator species as to the health of the waterway in which they are found.”
“One of the best ways to teach and inspire future generations about our wild heritage is to allow them to experience them in zoos,” explains Dave Orndorff, animal curator at the Binghamton Zoo.
Those who want to help name the otter pups need only fill in this form. Mind you, vets have not yet established whether the baby otters are boys or girls, so choose wisely.