Come Bid Farewell to Nora, a Popular River Otter Who Is Leaving the Maryland Zoo

BALTIMORE, MD – Now is the last chance to bid farewell to Nora, a popular otter at Maryland Zoo who will be moving to Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, VA at the end of September.

Nora’s name is an anagram of her species, North American river otter (Lontra canadensis). She was rescued as a pup last year after being abandoned by her mother in the wild. The public grew attached to Nora as they followed her progress via regular “pupdates” posted to the Zoo’s social media accounts.

Her antics and outgoing personality made Nora popular with Zoo staff and its guests. But now that she has grown into a successful adult, it’s time for her to move on to a new adventure at another accredited zoo.

“Nora arrived as a vulnerable pup who would not have survived without intervention,” said Erin Cantwell Grimm, Mammal Curator at Maryland Zoo. “Pups learn all their life skills from their mother, so it was up to us to teach Nora things every otter should know, like how to hunt and what’s safe to eat.”

“We’re proud of how she’s developed and know she’ll be an important part of her new otter community at the Virginia Living Museum,” Cantwell Grimm said.

“Virginia Living Museum is very excited to continue the Maryland Zoo’s exceptional work in raising Nora,” said Lyn Heller, Senior Director of Living Exhibits at the Virginia Living Museum.

“The Association of Zoos and Aquariums North American River Otter Species Survival Plan develops a Breeding and Transfer Plan that identifies population goals and recommendations to manage a genetically diverse, demographically varied, and biologically sound population,” Heller said. “As stated in our guiding principles, animal wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility across AZA and is made stronger through active collaboration. The SSP is an example of how this collaboration can save a species. We are committed to providing Nora exceptional care and can’t wait to share all of her adventures as she gets to know her new home, her new companion, Moe, and her new family at the Virginia Living Museum.”

Maryland Zoo is home to two other otters, Hudson, a male, and Brie, a female who was selected as a companion for Hudson by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ North American River Otter Species Survival Plan.

Anyone who would like to visit Nora before she leaves will find her in her habitat inside the Zoo’s Maryland Wilderness area at the following dates and times:

Nora will be outside in her habitat daily within the Zoo’s Maryland Wilderness area, until September 30th.

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