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Oregon Zoo celebrates Sea Otter Awareness Week

The zoo in Portland is raising awareness about the marine mammal’s critical role in the North Pacific ecosystem

A close-up of a sea otter's nose and glorious set of whiskers.

Who else wants to boop Uni Sushi’s nose?

Photo by Michael Durham, Oregon Zoo

You otter know that the Oregon Zoo is home to three playful marine acrobats: Juno, Lincoln + Uni Sushi. The three otters are helping showcase Sea Otter Awareness Week at the zoo in Washington Park this week. 🦦

Sea otter scientists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be near the otter habitat in the marine life area on Wed., Sept. 21 + Thurs., Sept. 22 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to speak with visitors. People can also swing by at 12:45 p.m. each day to watch the otters enjoy seafood treats and participate in training sessions.

Sea otters were hunted to extinction along the Oregon Coast in the early 1900s + have not yet regained a permanent foothold in the area. Because they help promote healthy kelp forests, sea otters are considered a crucial part of the Pacific Coast marine ecosystem. Efforts are ongoing to reintroduce them to Oregon.

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