DOWNTOWN — At least five Chicagoans enjoyed this week's snow: the Shedd's sea otters.
The storm gave the Shedd a chance to bring fresh snow to otters Yaku, Kiana, Mari, Luna and Ellie earlier this week. The five played in buckets and in their enclosure, "running, jumping, sliding and rolling" in the snow, the Shedd said in a statement.
Allowing the otters to play with the snow provided them with a "fun enrichment activity," the aquarium said. Trainers at the Shedd use ice cubes, frozen formulated food and icy treats as a "form of enrichment" for the otters, proving them with "mental stimulation and physical exercise."
"Sea otters are naturally curious, so they had no hesitation or reservations about the fluffy, white snow," the Shedd said.
Watch the video:
The Shedd's seat otters are among its most-beloved inhabitants. Ellie was brought to the aquarium as an orphaned pup last year, and Luna is a star basketball player in the pool.
Check out photos from the snow day:
[All photos courtesy Shedd Aquarium]
