For the second straight year, the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington will successfully have bred their river otters.

Jay Tetzloff is the Zoo Superintendent, he says they delivered the single male pup late in February. Patrons will soon be able to watch the pup grow and develop via video monitor.

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According to Tetzloff, the river otters are common across zoos in North America, but he points out, only a few litters are born each year in those institutions. He feels proud they were able to be successful once again this year in the breeding program.

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The mystery of why river otter pups have difficulty reproducing in captivity is one experts continue to try to solve. Tetzloff says it could be a number of possibilities, but they continue to reach for answers.

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Tetzloff is optimistic their female will be give birth to pups again next year. He says they are already pairing her back up with their male otter.

River Otter pups were once endangered but have since reestablished because of the decline in the demand for their fur.