11 sea otters debut at the National Zoo Saturday
Thursday - 5/10/2012, 1:14pm ET
WASHINGTON - A new family of Asian small-clawed sea otters is making a splash this weekend at the National Zoo. The public can get a first look at the critters Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The family made its way from the Santa Barbara Zoo in April with the help of Whole Foods. Two of them died just days after arriving.
Officials say the otters most likely died from ingesting a dye that was used to identify seven otters during the exams.
Excess dye was cleaned off the 11 surviving otters, and they have since thrived.
In appreciation for its help, Whole Foods got to name the animals. Naturally, they picked food-themed names: Chowder, Clementine, Pork Chop, Pickles, Saffron, Olive, Peaches, Turnip, Radish and Rutabaga.
At the debut, visitors will receive a commemorative ottergraph illustration from Whole Foods while supplies last.
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