Minnesota Zoo Asian Small-clawed Otter Pit of Shame. Why?

[wild boar]

Asian small-clawed otters have been gone for a fews years, and in the time since then, the enclosure has been frequently unoccupied. Various species have been held in the space, but only ever for small intervals. On Zoochat, the enclosure has been called "the pit of shame," apparently because it was somehow inadequate for the otters (and underutilized in their absence). Was the total area too small? Or was the pool not deep enough? Did it lack sufficient natural substrate? Is it only called that because it is entirely indoors?

So why was it inadequate for the otters?

 

[NSU42]

Asian small-clawed otters have been gone for a fews years, and in the time since then, the enclosure has been frequently unoccupied. Various species have been held in the space, but only ever for small intervals. On Zoochat, the enclosure has been called "the pit of shame," apparently because it was somehow inadequate for the otters (and underutilized in their absence). Was the total area too small? Or was the pool not deep enough? Did it lack sufficient natural substrate? Is it only called that because it is entirely indoors?

So why was it inadequate for the otters?

All of the above. It's a concrete pit and was when the otters were there as well. The pool is too small and shallow for otters and that was if it even ever had water in it as I remember it being empty a lot. On top of that, for as long as I could remember their was almost never anything in it really in terms of enrichment. They did eventually add a log/wooden climbing structure to it towards the end of the otters stay, but that is about the only time I can remember their being something "more" than an empty concrete pit. As for natural substrate the otters had a small bed of hay and that was pretty much it.

Perhaps someone has a more positive recollection of the space, but the photos in the gallery mostly confirm my memory.

I've personally never seen/heard it referred to as the "pit of shame", but find that somewhat amusing and an apt choice of name. Are there worse otter exhibits out there? Absolutely, but the otter pit really stood out as a low point at Minnesota in what is otherwise a pretty well regarded zoo (albeit a largely stagnant one, but hopefully Red Panda Trek is a start towards changing that).

Honestly, I don't really know what the best solution is for the otter space. Obviously they would like to probably keep it as exhibit space, but that maybe somewhat difficult to renovate. Easiest solution is to probably turn it into some sort of greenery with a combination of fake/real plants. At least then it doesn't just look like an empty pit.

 

[snowleopard]

The oldest gallery photos of the Small-clawed Otter exhibit in the Tropics Trail building are from 2010 and there was certainly a LOT of mock-rock for the otters to walk around on.

@Baldur

My photo from 2014 shows the visitor viewing area.

I recall the pool being very small and the exhibit really didn't suit otters. I see that in the gallery there is an image of the enclosure housing armadillos and in January 2022 there was an Asian Brown Tortoise in there.

@Dhole dude

 

[JVM]

Looks like the lack of substrate is the primary reason, and I can understand why. While not a good fit for otters but the retrofit for tortoises looks pretty good!