Texas State Aquarium Saddened by Loss of North American River Otter

June 20, 2019

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The Texas State Aquarium is mourning the loss of Arrie, a five-year old female North American river otter who passed away Tuesday, June 18 following seizures and other unexpected health complications. A pathology report will provide more information in the coming weeks.

Aquarium animal care and veterinary teams worked around the clock to provide Arrie the highest standard of care and health management throughout her life. On Monday afternoon, staff observed Arrie was having difficulty walking and maintaining balance and she was subsequently monitored closely by a veterinary care team and animal care staff. Arrie later started having short seizures and was transported immediately to a facility in Rockport. An ultrasound exam was completed and Arrie was brought back to the Aquarium for further evaluation but passed away during a diagnostic procedure Tuesday morning.

Arrie came to the Aquarium in 2014 from North Carolina Zoo when she was less than one year old. An online contest by guests helped choose her name, with hundreds of people submitting a vote. Her playful and energetic nature was apparent from the first day she arrived and she quickly became a favorite among staff and guests alike. Arrie’s keepers fondly remember her as a very social and active otter whose spirited personality always shone through, whether it was training with her care team, speeding down the Otter Creek waterfall slide or interacting with enrichment items like seashells and palm fronds.

The Texas State Aquarium is deeply saddened by the loss of Arrie but thankful to have had the opportunity to care for and learn from her the last five years.  

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