Planet Aid's Pittsburgh textile reuse facility is excited to announce it has adopted a North American River Otter through the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium’s Adopt an Animal program.
There are approximately 8.7 million different species on earth, each playing their part in the global ecosystem. Local zoos help us to appreciate these species, providing education, conservation, and ambassadorship.
According to a 2018 survey, zoos welcome 200 million attendees annually worldwide with 183 million in the U.S. alone.
The adoption was made in Planet Aid’s name and will be displayed at the zoo and aquarium’s Adopt an Animal Board and on its webpage.
The North American River Otter is indigenous and exclusive to North America, and the semi-aquatic mammal has an estimated population of 100,000. Although the otters are not on the endangered species list, they were hunted extensively for their thick protective fur during the 1900s, almost bringing them to extinction.
These playful animals are semi-aquatic and their self-protective fur helps them keep warm while swimming in cold waters. Their other features include short legs, webbed feet, and a lengthy narrow body. River otters also have a flattened head to streamline their water movements and a long, forceful tail to aid them in propelling through the water.
Planet Aid is proud to support domestic charitable causes in our participating region. Funds from the Adopt an Animal program will serve the zoo’s conservation, education, and revitalization projects. For more information about the program, visit the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium website.