SARASOTA, Fla. (Gray News) – Two otters at the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Florida died this month from health issues caused by hurricane stress.
Despite every effort to ensure the safety of river otters Huck and Jane, the aquarium said the unprecedented nature of back-to-back hurricanes created health issues that could not be overcome.
According to the aquarium, staff worked around the clock to make sure all the animals at the facility were as safe as possible during both Hurricane Helene and Milton and emergency weather protocols were followed.
They were mostly successful as a majority of the marine and coastal animals in Mote’s care survived.
“The loss of these otters is deeply felt, not only by Mote staff but by the broader community as well,” the aquarium said in a news release.
The aquarium added the otters helped teach visitors about the importance of freshwater coastal ecosystems and conservation while bringing joy and inspiration to the guests.
“Their loss is a reminder of the severity of the storm’s impact, but it also strengthens the Mote family’s resolve to protect and care for the animals who continue to thrive under our watch,” the aquarium stated.
Mote’s facility is closed until further notice while recovery efforts from these back-to-back events are underway.
“While we face difficult days ahead, alongside our equally resilient and recovering community, we will emerge from this crisis stronger with a renewed commitment to our vital mission of restoring and conserving our shared marine and coastal ecosystems through excellence in research and translation of our science to enable a more ocean literate public,” said Dr. Michael P. Crosby, Mote President & CEO.
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