The Brevard Zoo is mourning the death of Ozzie, a North American river otter who has lived at the zoo since 1999.
The Brevard Zoo said he died over the weekend. He was 15 years old.
The zoo said Ozzie was found orphaned in April 1999 when he was approximately three to four months of age and came to the zoo from the Beaks Wildlife Center in Jacksonville on Nov. 14, 1999. He spent his life at Brevard Zoo with his female companion, Saba. Saba is also 15 years old. She came to the zoo from Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo.
“Ozzie was a joy to work with. Since he was orphaned at a very young age, he grew up around people and seemed to genuinely enjoy interacting with keepers, and the feeling was definitely mutual,” said Arica O’Sullivan, one of the zoo’s Wild Florida keepers. “He was always there to greet you in their night house in the morning, ready to do some training while his mate, Saba, preferred sleeping in. He was very laid back but eager to please, always looking for his next treat, which he got lots because he was so well behaved. Ozzie was one of those animals you could depend on to put a smile on your face before the end of the day. He was a big part of the heart of the Florida Loop and will be eternally missed."
The zoo said North American river otters usually live between eight and nine years in the wild, but typically live much longer in captivity.