Beloved River Otter At Cape May County Zoo Dies

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NJ — The Cape May County Park and Zoo announced the death of Mork, an elderly North American river otter that had lived at the Cape May County zoo since 2013.

The zoo said Mork was 17 years old and died after a seizure-like medical episode last week.

According to the zoo, keepers alerted veterinary staff after Mork appeared to have the episode. A medical exam found that he had an enlarged heart that could lead to a cardiac event and seizures. The zoo said its veterinarian administered medications to help him come through the seizure, but Mork was beyond intervention and passed peacefully.

The zoo described Mork as a favorite among guests and zookeepers during his years there. According to the announcement, he was known for getting excited to see his keepers and would run along to the window, following them back to his den. The zoo also said he enjoyed interacting with guests at the window and posing for selfies.

Mork also stood out to his caretakers for his energy and responsiveness during training, according to the zoo. The announcement said making nests out of packing paper and tearing up cardboard were among his favorite enrichments. He also loved playing in his pool and lounging in the hollow logs in his yard, the zoo said.

The zoo said Mork brought joy to his keepers and made a lasting impression over the years. In its statement, the zoo said staff members were grateful for the chance to work with him for so long. The announcement also said Mork made a big impact by helping connect zoo guests to wildlife.

North American river otters are a familiar part of zoo wildlife education programs, and Mork spent more than a decade as part of the Cape May County Park and Zoo community.