Louie chooses the wild, wild life

GREEN BAY, WI—(WGBW)— Louie, the North American River Otter who escaped the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park in March, decided to become a wild otter. At least, that’s what officials at the zoo believe.

“Due to the length of time that Louie has been missing, we believe he has made the decision to be a wild otter,” the zoo said in a social media post. “We accept this, although we would, of course, welcome him home if he decides to return.”

The post explains that Louie hasn’t returned to the same waterway or yard repeatedly, so the zoo hasn’t been able to set traps to capture him and return him to the zoo. 

Louie and Ophelia escaped their enclosure at the NEW Zoo in Suamico on March 20th during a snowstorm. The zoo posted a video of them scampering through the snow during their escapade. Eventually, Ophelia, returned to one specific spot often enough. Suamico Trap LLC caught her and returned her to the zoo in early April.

The good news for Louie is that he was born in the wild and was in the wild long enough to learn and practice the skills required to be a wild otter.

As for Ophelia, who is alone without a mate, the NEW Zoo said they are working with the North American River Otter Species Survival Plan to find a male otter that will be a good match for her.