Tallulah, a 2-year-old North American river otter, is now in residence at the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington. (Photo courtesy of Miller Park Zoo)

By Beth Whisman

BLOOMINGTON – The river otter at the Miller Park Zoo has a new friend -- a female otter named Tallulah.

Ozzie the otter is already one of the zoo's most popular animals. He entertains crowds throughout the day, swimming and playing in an exhibit that resembles a river habitat. He also interacts with zoo keepers during public feedings twice a day.

“The river otter exhibit is one of the more popular sites year round at the zoo,” said Superintendent Jay Tetzloff. “Ozzie and Tallulah have coats with a waterproof barrier, which allows them to swim and remain very active ... even when the weather cools off.” 

Tallulah actually arrived from the Oakland Zoo in late September, but wasn't introduced to Ozzie until recently. Tetzloff will join WJBC at 2:40 p.m. Friday to discuss the addtion and the zoo's plans for the pair.

River Otters are commonly found in Alaska and Canada and are rare in the continental U.S., except in the northwest Great Lakes region and along the Atlantic and Gulf states.

Ozzie has been with the zoo since 2005.

Beth Whisman can be reached at whisman@wjbc.com.