Otters pups on exhibit at Miller Park Zoo

Posted on May 3, 2017

By WJBC Staff

BLOOMINGTON – Miller Park Zoo’s female otter pups born Feb. 25 are on exhibit now at the facility, along with their mom, Tallulah.

The birth of the otter pups is the third birth out of the last four years for Miller Park Zoo to have pups and a rarity in general. North American River Otters rarely reproduce in zoos and aquariums, averaging only about three litters a year total across 110 institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. A typical litter is three pups but can be anywhere from one to five.

“This is a big step for the pups,” explained Jay Tetzloff, Miller Park Zoo superintendent. “We’re enjoying watching them grow up, and I encourage people to stop by and see them.”

The opportunity to name the pups will be auctioned off at Zoo Do in September.

A new river otter exhibit is in Phase I of the Zoo’s Master Plan. The Miller Park Zoological Society is currently fundraising for the plan’s implementation.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…