Kai the River Otter (c.2016-2025)

Kai, a nine-year-old North American river otter, died at the Sacramento Zoo in April 2025. She was found unresponsive in her enclosure. She was transferred to the zoo in 2017 and lived with a male otter named Jackson. Staff described her as “sassy” and “opinionated.” She enjoyed rolling on her hammock bed and throwing objects into the pool.

North American river otters are the largest members of the weasel family. They love to swim and live in the continental US, near rivers, streams, lakes, and swamps. Otters are very social and stay in pairs or small groups in the wild. River otters are not endangered, but their populations have significantly decreased due to hunting and trapping in previous centuries. Today, major threats include habitat destruction, water pollution, and hunting.

River otters are displayed at zoos primarily to attract customers. Their captivity serves no conservation benefit. Unfortunately, “otter encounters” are on the rise. Zoos and pseudo-sanctuaries charge hundreds of dollars for the chance to swim with or hold otters. These encounters are incredibly stressful, and otters are sometimes injured or even killed. For example, multiple otters have died at SeaQuest, a notorious chain of mall aquariums. At SeaQuest Las Vegas, an otter became stuck in the filtration system and was shredded to death. Participants, including children, have been bitten and injured during interactions. Otters are carnivores with strong jaws and can easily hurt humans.

World Animal Protection urges everyone who loves otters to avoid zoos and enjoy them in the wild or at sanctuaries.