Ophelia, the North American river otter who escaped from the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is back home, but her companion Louie is still missing—possibly on the hunt for a mate.
Ophelia was captured on Friday night after escaping two weeks ago, and her return was kept quiet until Tuesday while she was observed by a veterinarian. The checkup confirmed she was healthy enough to return to her enclosure.
Despite being back, Ophelia may not always be visible to visitors, as she has always been a bit shy and enjoys hiding away for naps throughout the day.
The pair escaped through a hole in a fence during a snowstorm. Louie, however, remains on the loose. It’s believed he might be ranging farther from home than Ophelia because it’s otter breeding season, and male otters typically travel more during this time.
The zoo believes Louie is likely not far from the area since otters are territorial creatures. He’s safe as otters are native to the region and pose no threat to humans.
To locate Louie, the zoo has been using a tracker, motion-activated cameras, and relying on community reports, especially from those who’ve spotted him and captured photos or videos.