Virginia Aquarium says goodbye as Otter unexpectedly dies during exam

Kenzie Finch
·1 min read

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center announced the saddening death of one of their otters on Thursday, April 18.

Their 12-year-old North American river otter, Sheldon, died during an annual exam while under an anesthetic procedure. The death was unexpected as Sheldon showed no indication of anything being wrong prior to the procedure. A necropsy is expected to provide more insight into what could’ve caused the death.

Courtesy: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Center
Courtesy: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Center
Courtesy: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Center
Courtesy: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Center
Courtesy: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Center
Courtesy: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Center
Courtesy: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Center
Courtesy: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Center

“Our staff is mourning the loss of Sheldon, who has been professionally cared for by the mammal animal care team since he was a pup,” the Aquarium said, in a social media post. “The relationships that staff have built with him during this time make this loss incredibly difficult.”

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