The Toronto Zoo's trio of river otter pups, born in April, have officially been named Berwick, DeeDee and Mavis, honoring a family with a long history of supporting the zoo.
Pups Named After Influential Zoo Supporter
According to a press release from the Toronto Zoo, the names were chosen to recognize the Berwick family of King City, whose generosity has supported critical projects such as the Amur Tiger Habitat redevelopment and the new Red Panda Habitat through the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy. The family is now being recognized for a transformational gift to the zoo's new Community Conservation Centre.
“We are deeply honoured to name the pups in memory of Mavis Berwick, her family, and their lifelong commitment to wildlife conservation,” the zoo stated.
Community Conservation Centre Features River Otter Habitat
The new Community Conservation Centre, a state-of-the-art facility located at the main entrance, will feature a river otter habitat. Kathy Koch, Executive Director of the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy, expressed gratitude: “We are profoundly grateful to the Berwick Family of King City for their lifelong dedication to conservation at the Toronto Zoo. Mrs. Berwick has ensured that their legacy of philanthropy lives on well into the future, through this new and dynamic home for the Zoo’s North American river otter family.”
Pups Growing Under Mother's Care
The three pups are now exploring their habitat daily and continue to grow under the watchful care of their mother, Maybelle. The zoo noted that river otter pups remain with their mother for approximately seven to eight months, learning to swim, dive, hunt and navigate aquatic environments before becoming independent.
River otters are native to North American waterways and are described by the zoo as “among Canada’s most charismatic aquatic mammals and serve as important indicators of healthy freshwater ecosystems. Their presence often signals clean water, abundant fish populations and thriving biodiversity.”
First River Otters Born at Toronto Zoo in Over 40 Years
Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, said in a statement: “We’re thrilled to share the three pups with our community. They are the first river otters born at your Toronto Zoo in over 40 years and while native to Ontario, few people have seen this elusive species.”
