Sea Otter Nellie Has Passed Away

photo credit: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Nellie, the beloved southern sea otter at Port Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, has passed away. She was 19.

Zoo officials announced Tuesday, Nellie was euthanized after suffering from a sudden acute illness.

The otter was orphaned at about 2 weeks old in 1996 and arrived at Point Defiance Zoo in 2004.

According to King 5 News, Nellie gained an international following several years ago after the zoo posted a YouTube video of the otter using her forepaws to stack a series of colorful cups into correct order. The video, posted on the zoo’s YouTube channel, has been viewed more than 2.6 million times.

Nellie learned to stack the cups as a form of enrichment designed to provide physical activity and mental stimulation.

Female sea otters live 15 to 20 years in the wild and according to International Union for Conservation of Nature they are an endangered species.

source: King 5 News