Pfeiffer the Otter Has Retired From Public Life
Pfeiffer has moved to the Zoo’s Health Center, where she will receive extra care in her advanced age
Pfeiffer, Reid Park Zoo’s spotted-necked otter, is living behind the scenes at the Zoo’s health center to receive dedicated care from her keepers and veterinary team. In early August, the Zoo’s veterinarian brought Pfeiffer up to the health center to conduct an exam after her care team noticed she was having some difficulties getting around her habitat and showing disinterest in eating and training. These changes in Pfeiffer’s behavior can largely be attributed to her advanced age. At an estimated 26 years old, Pfeiffer is a geriatric otter and one of the oldest of her species in any AZA Zoo.
Pfeiffer is retiring from public life and will be staying in the Zoos health center, where the veterinary team is able to monitor her more closely and provide the specialized care she needs for her health and comfort.
Her new home has been equipped with many amenities to help Pfeiffer thrive, including: shallow pools, which are easy for her to get in and out; sand and woodchip substrates for Pfeiffer to roll in and explore; and many cozy beds for her to rest in. The health center has the added bonus of being a temperature controlled environment, which is helpful as Pfeiffer has become more sensitive to extreme hot and cold weather with age.
Reid Park Zoo is dedicated to whole-life care, meaning the team works to ensure each animal has everything they need to thrive through every stage of their development. For this stage in Pfeiffer’s life, that means making sure she has plenty of opportunities to rest, reducing the number of obstacles she encounters as she moves through her habitat, and managing her healthcare with frequent attention from the Zoo’s veterinarians.
While Pfeiffer is living in the health center the otter habitat is empty. African spotted-necked river otters are known to be alone in the wild, and Pfeiffer has shown she prefers having her whole habitat to herself in her old age. When her previous companion moved to a different zoo, Pfeiffer showed higher activity levels and increased engagement with training and enrichment.
Reid Park Zoo is home to several animals who have exceeded the median life expectancy for their species. The Zoo has a reputation of providing excellent geriatric care due to the excellent nutrition, health care, and daily attention our animal care professionals provide. The average lifespan of an otter is considered to be 10 to 15 years depending on the species.
