Schools will compete for otter-naming rights

When three new otters join Louie at the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park this spring, they will receive names chosen through a contest for north country elementary schools.

"We want to get young students interested in helping preserve nature," said Robert D. Gorman, managing editor of the Watertown Daily Times, which is sponsoring the Otter 400 Club. "So we are going to give naming rights to three elementary schools."

A fundraiser for schools will be held through May 1. The student bodies at the three schools that raise the most money beyond $500 will be allowed to name the otters.

"We could end up naming them after the schools themselves, like Dexter, Sherman or Clayton, or the students might want to vote on something that rhymes with Louie," Mr. Gorman said.

"The winning schools will also get a visit from zoo personnel and animals in the spring. I think science teachers and principals might enjoy getting their students interested in learning more about otters and the other animals at the zoo," Mr. Gorman said.

He said several agencies have approached the zoo about getting naming rights.

"The zoo can do that with future otters — we want this first group to be named by those who will eventually be responsible for the zoo's success 20 and 30 years from now," Mr. Gorman said.

The Times will print a periodic update of which schools have raised the most money.

For more information on how a school can sign up to join the Otter 400 Club, call zoo director John Scott Foster at 755-0892.