Toronto Zoo unveils names of river otter pups

Berwick, DeeDee and Mavis are all named after Mavis Berwick and her family, and their lifelong commitment to wildlife conservation.

The three river otter pups at the Toronto Zoo now have names, officials announced Monday.

Born in March to Maybelle, the Toronto Zoo revealed that her three offspring are named Berwick, DeeDee and Mavis.

These are the first river otters to be born at the Toronto Zoo in over 40 years, and while the species is indigenous to Ontario, the zoo says that few people have ever seen this “elusive” species.

“We’re thrilled to share the three pups with our community,” Toronto Zoo CEO Dolf DeJong said in a news release.

Native to waterways across much of North America, the Toronto Zoo said North American river otters are among Canada’s most charismatic aquatic mammals and serve as important indicators of healthy freshwater ecosystems.

“As highly skilled swimmers, river otters can remain underwater for up to eight minutes, using powerful tails, streamlined bodies and webbed feet to move effortlessly through rivers and wetlands,” they said.

Now that the pups are several months old, the Zoo said Berwick, DeeDee and Mavis are continuing to develop foundational skills like swimming, diving and hunting under their mother’s care.

Their names are a tribute to Mavis Berwick and the Berwick Family of King City, Ont., which officials said have supported “critical” projects at the attraction.