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
.