March 29, 2024

Young Otter Joins Lee Richardson Zoo

Lee Richardson Zoo

Lee Richardson Zoo is happy to invite you to come meet a new resident. Brighton, a 1 ½-year-old male North American river otter, recently joined Ariel, the 17-year-old female otter who calls the zoo her home.  The young otter came from the Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo.

When you visit, Ariel is the bathing beauty, enjoying laying out in the sun or the shade depending on her mood and taking an occasional dip.  Brighton is more like the typical kid at the beach, playing with everything he can find while enjoying a splashing good time in the water every now and then.  They both enjoy a good nap during the day.  The otters can be seen in the Kansas Waters exhibit.  Current zoo hours are 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily.

Otters are a member of the Mustelid or weasel family.  Other members of the Mustelid family include skunks, badgers, weasels, minks, fishers, ferrets, and wolverines.