A keeper jumped into the pool to help the otter, but the animal did not survive.
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Two zoo employees have been disciplined for giving Logan an “unauthorized enrichment item” – AKA trousers – which directly led to his death.
A Canadian zoo is under scrutiny following the death of an otter which had been given a pair of pants to play with in its enclosure.
She said the zoo has rules about which items are appropriate for specific animals.
“Each species is different”.
“This error is simply unacceptable”, said Ms Baird said in a news release. “The zoo is heartbroken over this”. “Enrichment items” are meant to elicit behaviours the animals will display in the wild. However, some types of clothing are allowed for certain animals like the ferrets and gorillas, she added.
The zoo has three other otters: a one year-old male named Finnegan, 12 year-old female Charlotte and 16 year-old male Callebaut.
So far, they appear to be doing fine following Logan’s death.
The Zoo plans to reinforce it’s protocols with all animal care staff to prevent such an incident from happening again. Additional incidents include a spider monkey crushed by a hydraulic door, several mule deer killed or injured as handlers tried to wrangle them for veterinary checks, and bats dying after flying into piano wire hung across their cages as part of their exhibit.
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The zoo has made headlines in the past over the deaths of its animals.
