3 river otters stolen from animal sanctuary in North Carolina

COATS, NC (AP) — A North Carolina animal sanctuary says three North American river otters were taken from the facility, and officials say they are at a loss as to why the animals were taken.

The Charlotte Observer reports a news release from the North Carolina Animal Ed.ventures Sanctuary in Coats says the three otters disappeared on Feb. 25. Sanctuary director Cory Freeman said the otters named Sigmund, Nessy and Ned were missing and their enclosure gate was open.

Park spokeswoman Shelley Metzger says river otters are among the rarest native wildlife in the U.S., although their numbers have fallen in recent years due to deforestation along waterways where they normally thrive.

Metzger says it’s the latest of three animal thefts from area sanctuaries.