Those fond of wildlife will be pleased to know that an 8-week-old otter pup found outside of Sunriver is now receiving care at the High Desert Museum in Bend.
The pup was found the week before Memorial Day weekend, emaciated and extremely dehydrated on a golf course. He weighed only 2.4 pounds when found, and has since more than doubled his weight to 4.6 pounds.
Originally, wildlife officials were hoping the stay could remain temporary, attempting to find the pup’s mother, but had no luck. Last week, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) decided to keep the pup with the museum.
“We don’t know exactly what happened to this otter, although we do know that without his parents he wouldn’t have survived in the wild,” said museum curator of wildlife Jon Nelson to KOIN News. “This was a unique situation where this otter pup does appear to have been legitimately orphaned.”
He is currently being kept with two other otters at the museum and is not visible to the public, though museum officials hope to introduce him to the Autzen Otter Exhibit with time.
While the High Desert Museum staff does have experience caring for otters, it’s no easy task. In 2017, staff found a 7-week-old otter pup along the Metolius River. Since that time, the staff has raised him alongside a second male named Pitch, roughly ten years of age.
And with no pups in captivity of the same age in Oregon, the museum determined that long-term care was the pup’s best option.
“Caring for a young otter is intense work, and our wildlife team has done an incredible job juggling bottle feedings around the clock,” said museum Executive Director Dr. Dana Whitelaw.
While the museum cares for over 130 animals ranging from otters to fish, the newfound pup hasn’t been named as of yet. Note: This reporter would like to submit the name Taggerung, after author Brian Jacques’ Redwall series of children’s fantasy novels.
Nelson also wants people to remember that in spring, lots of animals have their babies. If you see one alone, its parents are probably only temporarily away. “The best thing to do is leave the animal there and contact the local ODFW office to report it.”
Find the nearest ODFW office here.
By Ethan Hauck
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