Here’s the press release from the WNC Nature Center. From what I remember, Oscar the Otter hadn’t been at the nature center all that long. Poor fella…
Asheville, NC – The staff of the WNC Nature Center is very sad to report the death of its animal ambassador Oscar the Otter. Results from a necropsy from University of Tennessee Veterinary Hospital indicate that he died of complications from a torsioning or twisting of his stomach that occurred without warning or explanation.
Oscar’s health problem was detected on the morning of Friday, December 26. Veterinarian Dr. John Freeland was called in immediately to evaluate Oscar at REACH Animal Hospital. A battery of diagnostic tests were performed and an x-ray taken which showed a large amount of food in his stomach, empty intestines and a non descript area between the stomach and the intestines which lacked definition and therefore, led to no clear conclusion about the nature of Oscar’s problem.
Dr. Jergen Schumacher from the University of Tennessee Veterinary School was then contacted to review the preliminary findings as was Dr. John Howland, DVM. The risk of exploratory surgery on an otter is substantial and was evaluated by the veterinary team. Antibiotics were administered to Oscar as well as medication for any discomfort. Oscar’s condition did not improve and it was decided that should no change take place by 8:00 pm that Oscar would be immediately transported to the University of Tennessee for emergency exploratory surgery. Sadly, Oscar died shortly after 7:00 pm. A necropsy was performed by the University of Tennessee veterinary staff over the weekend which determined that Oscar’s stomach had twisted, not allowing any food to pass through, which eventually led to a fatal perforation of his stomach lining.
“The Animal Department staff of the WNC Nature Center has been hit especially hard by this loss. We devote countless hours to working with all the animals in our collection and our emotional commitment is 100%. We are no stranger to situations like this but that said, losing Oscar, such a wonderful otter, is still especially hard for everybody. As we always do, we will continue to move forward. The process of locating a new Otter has already begun in earnest. I speak for all the staff here at the Nature Center when I say thank you for all the sympathetic responses to the loss of Oscar, “ said Henry Bulluck, Animal Curator, WNC Nature Center.
Oscar was eight months old and came to live at the Nature Center in August 2008. He was captive born and hand raised, and lived at a wildlife facility in Minnesota prior to moving to the Nature Center. After a successful quarantine period and introduction to Olive, the center’s existing female otter, Oscar joined Olive in the otter enclosure and was introduced to the public in early November 2008. Olive will continue to live in the otter enclosure for public viewing until a new otter is acquired to join her.
Anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible donation in Oscar’s memory or for any other operations of the Nature Center can send it to the Friends of the Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Rd., Asheville, NC 28805.
The Nature Center is home to plants and animals native to the Appalachian region, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Nature Center operates on a winter schedule Thursday – Tuesday, 10 am to 5 pm through February 25, after which time the center will resume daily operations, 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is $7 per person, $6 per senior citizen, $3 per youth ages 3 to 16, and children under two are free.
For more information, you may contact the Nature Center at (828) 298-5600 or visit the Friend’s of the Nature Center website at wildwnc.org.