The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium family is saddened to share news of the loss of Pippi, one of our beloved North American river otters.
Last week, Pippi began demonstrating behavior that was consistent with a medical abnormality. Mote’s expert animal care and veterinary teams responded immediately, providing 24/7 monitoring and medical intervention. Despite their tireless efforts, including resuscitation attempts, Pippi did not survive. Initial findings suggest that her condition may have been related to a urogenital disease, which is commonly seen in female river otters. We hope to learn more once additional diagnostic and histopathologic results become available after her necropsy (animal autopsy).
Pippi was rescued in 2015, as a pup, and rehomed at Mote in 2016. She weighed 7 pounds on arrival at Mote and was both shy and calm. Over the years, she blossomed and became both a guest favorite and an exemplary ambassador of her species. Always playful, sometimes mischievous, Pippi will be forever remembered as a loving member of the Mote family.
Our thoughts are with our animal care team, who care for our animals as if they were their own. We thank them for their vigilant monitoring, swift response, and exceptional dedication throughout this difficult situation. Their professionalism and compassion in caring for Pippi exemplify the high standard of care that Mote is recognized for providing.
We welcome everyone to celebrate the joy Pippi brought to our lives and share memories of her impact.