News and Stories

Chloe and Kevin arrived yesterday and are already exploring outside

Southern sea otters Chloe and Kevin explored Sea Otter Coast this morning for the first time and can now be seen by visitors at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. The Zoo is home to two other otter species, Asian small-clawed otters and North American river otters, but this is the first time it has housed Southern sea otters, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

“Chloe and Kevin arrived from another accredited AZA facility late yesterday afternoon and did so well in their indoor space that we decided to go ahead and fast track the outdoor exploration!” said Cincinnati Zoo curator of mammals Kim Scott. “They went right out and played in the waterfall and did flips in the deep end.  This new habitat gives visitors lots of opportunities to view the otters, both from above and below the water.”

Chloe is a retired 13-year-old female, who was a surrogate mom to orphaned sea otter pups that were later re-released into the wild, and Kevin is a 1 ½-year-old male that was stranded as a pup and was deemed non-releasable by the USFWS.

“We are so honored to be working with the Sea Otter Recovery Program (SORP) to provide a forever home for Southern sea otters that can’t be returned to their native waters.” Scott said.

Cincinnati Zoo also plays active roles in the re-wilding and recovery of other North American species, including manatees, Mexican wolves, and American burying beetles.

“We’re excited to highlight species that are found closer to home,” said Scott. “The bear cubs in Bear Ridge, which is adjacent to Sea Otter Coast, have been extremely popular with guests and are raising awareness about how humans can coexist with these amazing creatures.”

Cincinnati Zoo partners with the Elahka Alliance, an organization working to restore the sea otter population in Oregon and highlights the work that they’re doing through activities, signage, and in-person stories at Sea Otter Coast.

What visitors will see:

Above-water otter viewing – Stamped concrete leads visitors to a raised planter filled with native plants that are important to regional Indigenous groups and Ohio wildlife. Signs and QR codes share more information about the historic and ecologic role of these plants. Five key species of plants are featured to help visitors identify them in the habitat and elsewhere. Visitors will look out over the top of a saltwater pool where they can watch otters float or frolic on the shore.

Lower otter viewing – Visitors can view the otters’ aquatic adaptations from below the water in a shaded area. Another small habitat with seasonally rotating animal species will be present as well.

The Zoo opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. today and tomorrow.  PNC Festival of Lights starts this Thursday, November 20, with a Members Preview tomorrow night. Memberships are on sale now!

Sea otters may be out after dark but will be hard to see.  Come early to see otters and stay for the lights!