SEATTLE — A river otter pup died at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle on Saturday in what the zoo called “a tragic accident.”
Trout, a male otter pup who was born in March, got wedged between a ramp and a platform while he was climbing the ramp in his enclosure. Animal keepers responded within four minutes to resuscitate Trout, but he couldn’t be revived, according to the zoo.
“Our animal keeper team and staff are absolutely devastated,” Woodland Park Zoo Animal Curator Erin Sullivan said in a statement. “The passing of a beloved animal is never easy, but a loss like this is particularly emotional because we couldn’t have stopped it and we wish there was something else we could have done to save Trout.”
Trout and a female pup named Dory have access to a publicly visible habitat and pool, as well as a holding area that the zoo said has ramps and enrichment.
After the incident, the zoo said it adjusted the ramp and is reassessing the space to see if other safety updates should be made.
There have not been any other injuries to adult otters or pups using the ramps or platform until Trout’s death, according to the zoo. The ramps have been in place for years.
Trout and Dory were born to mom Valkyrie and dad Ziggy. The zoo said animal keepers would give extra attention to the other family members in the coming days to make sure they are doing OK as they adjust to Trout’s death.