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Newsroom Lehigh Valley Zoo December 22, 2021 |
| (Schnecksville, PA) – Lehigh Valley Zoo is deeply saddened to announce its female North American river otter, Naya, passed away earlier this week. Naya, and her companion male Luani, have been beloved by staff and guests since their arrival at the LV Zoo in 2016.
At 14 years old, Naya was past the median life expectancy of North American river otters in the wild. As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), LV Zoo is committed to providing its animals with optimal welfare that allows them to thrive longer than their wild counterparts. During Naya’s annual exam, LV Zoo veterinarians found a mass near her uterus. The mass was successfully removed during surgery last week, after which time Naya was closely monitored by LV Zoo staff. While she initially appeared to be recovering well, Naya declined rapidly and — despite staff efforts — ultimately passed away. While mourning the loss, LV Zoo staff will be keeping a close eye on Luani as he adjusts to this change. Since her arrival, Naya became known for her back flips and playfulness as she and Luani happily swam the waters of their habitat inside the Lehigh Valley Health Network North American River Otter exhibit. LV Zoo members and guests are encouraged to share any photos or memories of Naya on social media. Guests can visit Luani during LV Zoo daytime winter hours of Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The LV Zoo is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day; though Winter Light Spectacular will open at 5 p.m. on New Year’s Day. # # # As a member-supported non-profit organization, Lehigh Valley Zoological Society was founded in 2004, but it has been treasured community landmark for centuries. Located in the Lehigh Valley’s Trexler Game Preserve, we have educated and entertained more than five million people. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Lehigh Valley Zoo hosts year-round, family-friendly events and activities, educational programs, and camps. Through a mission to create a safe, engaging and enlightening wildlife experience for guests of all ages, the Zoo demonstrates leadership in the cultural, scientific and conservation communities. To learn more about Lehigh Valley Zoo, we invite you to visit our website, www.lvzoo.org, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. |
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