NEW Zoo confirms Ophelia the otter's safe return; search continues for Louie – WLUK

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by Ashley Kaster & David Go, FOX 11 News

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SUAMICO (WLUK) — It's no April Fool's joke — one of the missing river otters from the NEW Zoo has returned.
The NEW Zoo confirms Ophelia was safely secured Friday night and has spent a few days behind-the-scenes for observations.

She only ventured a couple miles away and was caught on zoo property, according to Suamico Trap's Jeremy Ebner, who has led efforts to find the two otters.
A full veterinary exam revealed she is in perfect health after she and Louie escaped their habitat during Winter Storm Ezra on March 20. They confirmed it was Ophelia through her microchip.
"There was one very small spot where a wire had rusted," said NEW Zoo Director Carmen Murach. "They managed to find that wide enough just to slip out during a really fun winter storm."
It had been at least two decades since the otters last escaped, according to Murach.

Ophelia has returned to her habitat Tuesday morning, but the zoo says she may not be visible to guests, as she's always been a bit shy and enjoys tucking into things to taking naps throughout the day. She emerged for her afternoon feeding Tuesday.
The search continues for Louie, the other otter that escaped.

"We do believe we've had sightings of him as well," said Murach. "But a male during breeding season, they tend to range a little farther and wider, so not a big surprise."
The zoo will continue to use its motion-activated cameras to track his movements.

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