Zoo Uses All Tricks to Keep Otters In

Surrounded by rubber balls, water slides and hollow logs, Kelsie and Opie have hit river otter heaven with their new digs at the Los Angeles Zoo.

But what the newly acquired 6-month-old “Houdinis of the animal world” don’t know, is that major precautions have been taken to prevent them from making any great escapes.

Known for their mischievous streak, river otters will explore themselves out of any environment, zoo officials said.

“Anything that’s the size of a grapefruit, they can squeeze through,” said animal keeper Stephanie Zielinski. “Anything smaller than that, like a chain link fence, they can get their heads stuck.”

To keep the little slippery animals from straying too far from home, zoo staff constructed a two-foot concrete lip around the perimeter of the exhibit. They also incorporated safety cages and newly covered drain holes.

But for extra distraction, officials provided the river otters with toys--lots of toys.

For now, Kelsie and Opie seem content to chew on peacock feathers, swat at pine cones, bounce balls, climb rocks and slide through an 8-foot hollow pipe made to look like an old log.

“They’re very hyperactive animals,” said Zielinski. “They’re like 2-year-old children, they’re just into everything.”

Information: (323) 644-6400.