Detroit Zoo river otter, Whisker, dies at 21

Whisker, a beloved river otter that helped parent the first river otter litter born at the zoo in a half-century, has died at age 21, the Detroit Zoo announced Tuesday.

Zoo officials remembered Whisker, a North American river otter, as one who was "loved by many — person and otter alike" and as a "superb mother." Whisker's advanced age and declining health challenges were cited in her passing, officials said.

"Whisker was a superb mother. She was also very smart and quick to catch onto training," the zoo said in a statement on Facebook. "She was a favorite among her caretakers, who bonded deeply with her over the years."

She was rescued in 2003. By 2009, Whisker was at the Detroit Zoo, romping as a pup with the raft of otters there, officials said. Shortly after, she and male otter Lucius "became inseparable" and would make history at the Oakland County facility.

"In 2012, they became the parents of the first river otter litter to be born at the Zoo in 50 years," zoo officials said.

The life expectancy of a North American river otter is 12 years, according to the zoo's website.

As she aged, Whisker's hind limbs began declining and mobility issues and discomfort set in, the zoo said. She was diagnosed with heart disease in 2017, zoo said.

"Her care team put significant effort into developing innovative ways to prolong her quality of life, but ultimately came to the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her," zoo officials said. "She was truly an amazing otter and will be dearly missed by all."

The Edward Mardigian Sr. River Otter Habitat, a 2,500-square-foot indoor and outdoor living space, is home to three North American river otters remaining at the zoo: Lucius, Kalee and Gus, the zoo's website said.

The Arctic Ring of Life habitat at the zoo is home to two southern sea otters, Monte and Finn, who were rescued at different times along the California coast.

jaimery@detroitnews.com