Seneca Park Zoo celebrates historic birth of North American river otter pups

Monroe County, New York – Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, alongside the team at Seneca Park Zoo, has announced an exciting milestone—the birth of three North American river otter pups. This marks the first time in the Zoo’s 132-year history that river otters have been born under its care, highlighting the institution’s commitment to conservation efforts.

The proud mother, Ashkii, a nine-year-old female river otter, gave birth to the litter on January 28. The newborns, two females and one male, are reported to be in good health, nursing well, and receiving excellent care from Ashkii. The father, Gary, was brought to the zoo in 2023 as part of a breeding recommendation under the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program.

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“For the first time in its 132-year history, the Seneca Park Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of North American river otter pups in our care. These additions are a testament to the Zoo’s dedication to conservation and the vitality of the North American river otter,” said County Executive Bello. “Thank you to Zoo Director Bob Lee, Dr. Chris McKinney, General Curator David Hamilton, and the entire staff at the Seneca Park Zoo for their dedication and attention to the three new river otter pups.”

Zoo veterinarian Dr. Chris McKinney conducted an initial examination of the pups and confirmed their good health. “The pups all appear healthy on their initial examination,” McKinney stated. “Two of the pups are female and one is male. Ashkii is taking excellent care of them, and they are nursing well.”

The significance of these births extends beyond the joy of welcoming new life; they are a crucial step in conservation efforts. The zoo has been a long-standing advocate for North American river otter conservation, actively participating in efforts to reintroduce the species to areas where they were once extinct.

“This is a remarkable and proud moment in the history of the Zoo,” said Zoo Superintendent Bob Lee. “These births further demonstrate the expertise and dedication of our team, who have made Seneca Park Zoo a leader in North American river otter conservation, playing a crucial role in advancing the AZA’s mission to safeguard this species and its habitat for generations to come.”

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David Hamilton, General Curator at Seneca Park Zoo and North American River Otter SSP Coordinator for AZA, emphasized the importance of the breeding program. “This is the first time the Zoo has had a successful breeding pair in Ashkii and Gary, demonstrating the importance of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) program. The North American River Otter SSP produces a Breeding and Transfer plan with the goal of maintaining a self-sustaining river otter population that is healthy, genetically diverse, and demographically stable.”

While it will take several weeks before the pups are introduced to the water, visitors can still get a glimpse of them through a live camera feed at the Creatures from the River’s Edge building, where the Zoo’s river otters are typically on display. The live feed will be available to the public starting Saturday, March 1, 2025.

The North American river otter is a semiaquatic mammal found throughout Canada and various regions of the United States. As an indicator species, their presence signifies healthy water ecosystems. Seneca Park Zoo has played a pivotal role in conservation efforts since the 1980s, assisting in reintroducing otters to areas where they had previously disappeared. Using cutting-edge technology, researchers continue to monitor water samples for traces of otter DNA, ensuring the long-term success of reintroduction efforts.

For those eager to visit, the Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets and more information can be found at senecaparkzoo.org/tickets.