Baby North American river otter debuts at Prospect Park Zoo

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - A North American river otter pup recently made his debut at the Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn.

The male otter was born February 14, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society. He is now on display at the zoo's Discovery Trail.

North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) live in habitats including inland wetlands, coastal areas, estuaries, and marshes, the WCS said. They are members of the weasel family, which also includes badgers, ferrets, mink, and wolverines.

"While some members of this family are solitary, North American river otters can be quite social, the WCS said in a news release. "In addition to females living with their young, adult males will also form social groups outside of the breeding season."

The Wildlife Conservation Society's mission is to save "wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature," according to its website. In addition to the Prospect Park Zoo, WCS runs the New York Aquarium, the Queens Zoo, the Central Park Zoo, and the Bronx Zoo, its flagship property.