River otter makes splash at aquarium

Named Walle, a North American river otter has been added to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium's resident otters exhibit. Walle, who was found abandoned as a pup, was raised on a boat until he became a juvenile otter. The boat's owner recognized that Walle's care was more intense than a regular household pet. Walle's caretaker assumed that if Walle was put back into the wild he would resume life as a normal otter, but this was not the case. When Walle was released, he returned to the boat. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission called Clearwater Marine Aquarium about Walle, asking if he could live with the other resident otters, Cooper and Oscar, under the care of the aquarium's training team. Walle has successfully acclimated to his new environment and is housed with Cooper. Trainers have been able to hand-feed, touch and interact with Walle, who is now on exhibit on a daily basis.