Pat’s Wildways: Otter Space residents

My friend Jonathan Howard has developed quite a facility in Hilliard to house exotic animals that need a forever home: Otter Space Wildlife. Jonathan started his wildlife rescue work as an animal rehabilitation center, but has now focused on work as a wildlife sanctuary — a forever home for animals that cannot be released to the wild for one reason or another. I visit his place every few months and I’m always amazed at what’s new.

Jonathan is in touch with wildlife rehabbers and captive owners all over the country, and when there are appropriate animals that his facility can house, he willingly accepts them. These are most often small exotic cats, otters, and other smallish carnivores with physical conditions or too imprinted on people to be released. And, of course foxes. In the past couple of years, he has welcomed more than 120 formerly fur-farmed red foxes to his facility, and has built fortified but large natural enclosures for these critters to finally enjoy ground to dig in, ponds to splash in and bushes and trees to rest under. Most of these foxes are behind the scenes, but a few of the most people-oriented are displayed in large pens at the front of his facility for people to admire.

There are visitors now at Otter Space Wildlife and small groups are welcomed for private tours. Tours include close-up looks at the animals, a petting zoo with goats and small deer, and a few tame animals — skunk, opossum, etc. that the keepers can handle and allow the group to touch. So far, a number of scout groups, homeschoolers and birthday celebrants have taken advantage of this new opportunity and the reviews are all positive. Check out the website to see how you can do this too.

When I visit Otter Space Wildlife, it is as a volunteer myself, mostly as a provider of live crabs and fish for the three permanent otter residents, whenever I visit. As a trusted volunteer, I am permitted to get close to the wild animal cages for photos and safe interactions through the fence. Each time I go, I bring another friend with me to enjoy this experience too.

My most recent visit was more purposeful than usual. Jonathan told me that he was caring for a baby otter and I was there the next day. Raising baby North American river otters was a regular part of my life at Marine World Africa USA in California many years ago, and I can never resist the feel and smell of a baby otter in my hands. Soon enough I was cuddling a baby otter that had been discovered with its dead mother killed by traffic.

This baby was brought to Jonathan, but sadly when it was found, no one looked on both sides of the road to see if others were also in this litter. They no doubt are long gone now but this baby has a good chance of survival in Jonathan’s expert hands.

Besides the otter, my friend Rhonda and I toured the rest of the facility and took photos. Every time I visit, more animals in need of a sanctuary have been added to his collection, and some are more used to people than others. When Rhonda and I approached the fishing cat, caracal and bobcat pens we were hissed at, showing their displeasure, so we didn’t linger there long. A new wolf in another pen was curious about us but kept its distance. The foxes in the front enclosure were different — they rushed to the fence to see if we had any treats for them, which unfortunately, we neglected to bring this time. The adult otters, though, were more than delighted to chase the live crabs we brought — fun for them, but not for the crabs, I can only imagine.

The tamest animal of all, on this day, was Nimbus, a young serval cat that now lives in the house of Jonathan and his wife Mindy. This cat came from an authorized breeder in Miami but was sold to someone who fed it the wrong diet — dog food instead of cat food — resulting in bone weakness and breaks that have partially crippled it. Now, in Jonathan’s home, this cat is the friendliest feline I have ever met. When Jonathan brought us into his home, the cat was loose and came rushing to greet us, purring like a locomotive. It jumped up on the top of the sofa, then head-bumped me in the classic cat greeting. Amazing!

Well it’s always amazing at Otter Space Wildlife. Be sure to check it out …

Pat Foster-Turley, Ph.D., is a zoologist on Amelia Island. She welcomes your nature questions and observations. patandbucko@yahoo.com