PRESS RELEASES

The River Otter Pups Have Names!

We have otter-ly exciting news to share to kick off the summer season! The three otter pups in our care have names and they are out exploring their habitat daily.

Introducing... Berwick, DeeDee and Mavis!

Now several months old, the curious trio continues to grow under Maybelle's watchful care while developing the essential life skills that define the species. 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. These early lessons are critical to their development, with mothers introducing pups to water gradually and teaching them how to thrive in Canada's rivers, lakes and wetlands.

“We’re thrilled to share the three pups with our community” says Dolf DeJong, CEO, Toronto Zoo. “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.

Native to waterways across much of North America, North American river otters are 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. As highly skilled swimmers, river otters can remain underwater for up to eight minutes, using powerful tails, streamlined bodies and webbed feet to move effortlessly through rivers and wetlands. They are also known for their intelligence, curiosity and playful behaviour, which helps young otters develop critical survival skills.

What inspired the names?

We are deeply honoured to name the pups in memory of Mavis Berwick, her family, and their lifelong commitment to wildlife conservation. The Berwick Family of King City shares an inspiring and long-standing history of generosity with the Toronto Zoo, having supported critical projects such as the Amur Tiger Habitat redevelopment project and the new Red Panda Habitat through the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy.

The Berwick Family are now being recognized for a transformational gift to the Zoo’s new Community Conservation Centre. This incredible act of kindness will ensure an enriching environment for our river otter family and that every single guest will experience an immediate connection with nature the moment they step through our doors.

"We are profoundly grateful to the Berwick Family of King City for their lifelong dedication to conservation at the Toronto Zoo," says Kathy Koch, Executive Director of the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy. "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."

Through this gift, and the powerful legacy left behind by the Berwick Family, King City, we continue to safeguard wildlife, preserve wild spaces, and inspire Guardians of Wild.

A new home for the river otters

Your Toronto Zoo is building a new Community Conservation Centre – a state-of-the-art facility and visually stunning statement of our commitment to conservation science. This new space located at the main entrance will feature an engaging river otter habitat – bringing you even closer to these amazing Canadian species!

To learn more or to support this exciting project visit our fundraising partners at the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy, click below:

Continue to follow us for updates about how these little ones are doing in the coming weeks!

About your Toronto Zoo

Your Toronto Zoo’s mission is to connect people, animals, conservation science and traditional knowledge to fight extinction. The Zoo’s vision is a world where people, wildlife and wild spaces thrive.

An iconic tourist attraction and conservation organization, the Toronto Zoo boasts a number of leading programs for helping wildlife and their natural habitats – from species reintroduction to reproductive research. A world-class educational centre for people of all ages, the Toronto Zoo is open every day and attracts approximately 1.3 million guests each year.

Toronto Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and has also achieved the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Certificate of Good Animal Practice® and is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA).

About the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy

The Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy is the charity partner of the Toronto Zoo. With the help of generous donors, we support animal well-being, essential conservation science programs, and experiential learning opportunities led by the Toronto Zoo. Together, we are building a future where people, wildlife, and wild spaces don’t just survive—they thrive.