ST. JOHN’S — An ornery otter that tore a hole in a Newfoundland park official’s boot has escaped euthanasia, but the provincial government says staff are still trying to figure out what to do with the animal. Tallulah is a nine-year-old river otter living in eastern Newfoundland at the Salmonier Nature Park, a 40-hectare reserve of trails and large enclosures for animals native to the area. Her ordeal is detailed in a cache of emails recently published on the province’s website for completed access-to-information requests. The emails say Tallulah was raised at the park, but she started acting out when she was moved to an enclosure, where she had less human contact. The messages say the otter bit a caretaker, escaped from her enclosure and then lunged at a staff member trying to retrieve her and ripped a hole in his boot. Some emails from August say management was planning to euthanize Tallulah, but a Newfoundland and Labrador government spokesperson says the otter is alive and contained. The Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands says park staff are working with provincial veterinarians to figure out the best course of action for Tallulah. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2026. The Canadian Press
