Jin the Otter dies at Wellington Zoo

AnzacApe · **Jin the Otter dies at Wellington Zoo** 19-08-2010

From Stuff website
Jin the escapee otter dies - national | Stuff.co.nz

An otter that once famously escaped from Auckland Zoo has died in Wellington.

Jin, a three short clawed Asiatic otters, was found dead in her enclosure at Wellington Zoo on Monday morning, the zoo said in a statement today.

Jin caught the imagination of New Zealanders in 2006 with her 26-day escapade around Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.

She dug through two walls and scaled a 1.8-metre-high barrier to reach freedom.

Jin arrived at Wellington Zoo with breeding partner Jala, via a short three-month stay at Christchurch's Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, in November 2007, the zoo said.

''For the last six months she had been introduced to a new breeding partner Bud, but was unsuccessful in delivering any pups.

''Our Keepers noted that she was a feisty animal, always ready to try to nibble at their boots when they were caught unawares they learnt to become ever more vigilant at these tactics over the years.''

A post mortem is being held at Massey University to determine the cause of death of the seven-year-old otter.

The zoo is looking for a new breeding partner for Bud.

Chlidonias · 19-08-2010

a slightly longer article for overseas readers who won't know the story:
Jin the escaping otter found dead at Wellington Zoo | NATIONAL News

Quote:

Jin the Otter, who once famously escaped from Auckland Zoo, has died in Wellington.

She was found dead in her enclosure at Wellington Zoo on Monday morning.

Jin, a short clawed Asiatic otter, made international headlines in 2006 with a 26-day escapade around Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.

Jin escaped by digging through two walls and scaling a 1.8 high barrier around her enclosure.

She swam across to the Chelsea sugar factory on the northern coast, then on to the plush suburb of Devonport, leading one zoo spokeswoman to comment favourably about her taste in real estate.

A tip-off from a yachtie helped bring her days of freedom to an end, after she was spotted at Islington Bay, at the causeway between Rangitoto Island and Motutapu Island.

All up she was estimated to have swum at least 20km

Jin arrived at Wellington Zoo with breeding partner Jala, via a short three-month stay at Christchurch's Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, in November 2007.

For the last six months she had been introduced to a new breeding partner Bud, but was unsuccessful in delivering any pups.

Wellington Zoo said she was feisty animal, always ready to try to nibble at keepers' boots when they were caught unaware.

They said they were mystified over the death, as Jin there had been no signs Jin had been unwell.

A post mortem examination was being held at Massey University to determine the cause of the seven-year-old otter's death.

Chlidonias · 19-08-2010

and from the SAFE Facebook page (Save Animals From Exploitation, an extremist animal-rights group of nutters):
SAFE | Facebook

Quote:

Sad news about Jin, the captive otter. She was one very clever and determined web-footed feisty weasel, who clearly wanted (and deserved) to be free. Her daring 26-day escapade swimming about Auckland's harbour surely were her best days ever. Shame she had to die alone inside a concrete prison.

driftaguy · 19-08-2010

Such a shame... RIP Jin

zooboy28 · 26-08-2010

Apparently the autopsy revealed that she had blood on the lungs, but no cause of death was found. This was not unexpected as the causes of many otter deaths remains unresolved.

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