CHARLESTON, SC NEWS - LIVE 5 WCSC Breaking News, Weather, SportsSearch continues for otter hit by car
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CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - At 8pm last night Keeper of the Wild Director Janet Kinser got a call about an otter that was hit by a car. Her staff, which included 10 volunteers, spent 3 hours searching for the animal.
"They were able to locate the little guy at the time but were unable to get to him," said Janet Kniser, Director Keeper of the Wild.
Usually when the keeper of the wild rescue arrives to a scene, the people that made the call are gone. That makes it harder to find the injured animal. But last night things were different.
"There were some wonderful people that made the call. They stayed with the otter and kept a flashlight on it until Beth was able to get here."
At 11 pm the search was called off, but at 2 am officials returned to the site after receiving a tip from a police officer who was on patrol.
"We did get a call that were 4 otters in the area, but it was not the injured one."
The search began again today at 8 am but still no otter in sight.
Otters are able to travel up to 25 miles on land to look for food. The South Carolina Aquarium is home to two river otters. Officials aren't surprised that these animals could find themselves in harms way.
"Unfortunately because of growth here in the United States, all the new houses and roadways being built. They have to cross over those territories. Animals will encounter cars or barriers as they are trying to find new places to feed," added Kelly Reno, Animal Behaviorist.
For now the search continues. If this otter decides he doesn't want to found, it certainly won't be for lack of effort.
