logo
Funny Animals Interesting Freaky Pop Culture

Public Service Announcement: You Can Swim With Tiny Otters At This Animal Preserve

by Stephanie

What if we told you there is a place you can go that lets you hang out with sloths and... wait for it... swim with adorable otters? Yep, that's right, if you're feeling stressed and in need of an amazing getaway from life, you can totally chill pool-side with these cute little critters at Barn Hill Preserve in Ethel, Louisiana.

“The swim experience includes a tour of the preserve which includes African servals, red kangaroos, and a climate-controlled sloth exhibit,” says the President/CEO of Barn Hill Preserve, John “Gabe” Ligon.

Participants must be 16-years or older and are required to sign a waiver before the experience which lasts for around one hour.

The number of otter swims offered at the Preserve is limited in order to ensure this remains a positive experience for the animals.

The number of otter swims offered at the Preserve is limited in order to ensure this remains a positive experience for the animals.

“Guests enter the pool, and the otters are introduced for playtime. If they want to play with enrichment toys on the deck, that’s their choice. Our otters are never forced to do anything, the entire experience is completely positive,” Ligon explained.

“Guests enter the pool, and the otters are introduced for playtime. If they want to play with enrichment toys on the deck, that’s their choice. Our otters are never forced to do anything, the entire experience is completely positive,” Ligon explained.

The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest otter species in the world. It is currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to ongoing habitat loss, hunting and pollution.

The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest otter species in the world. It is currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to ongoing habitat loss, hunting and pollution.

“A typical day for an Asian otter at the preserve includes waking up to the smell of a fish and shrimp breakfast. Taking a morning swim, grooming one another to dry off, taking a mid-day nap, chasing insects that fly into the exhibit, and taking more naps. Our otters on exhibit have a large behind the scenes privacy house that allows them to enter any time they aren’t feeling social.”

“A typical day for an Asian otter at the preserve includes waking up to the smell of a fish and shrimp breakfast. Taking a morning swim, grooming one another to dry off, taking a mid-day nap, chasing insects that fly into the exhibit, and taking more naps. Our otters on exhibit have a large behind the scenes privacy house that allows them to enter any time they aren’t feeling social.”

“We provide free educational programs to students at elementary schools, some of which have never seen these animals in ‘real life,'” Ligon added.

“We provide free educational programs to students at elementary schools, some of which have never seen these animals in ‘real life,'” Ligon added.

“We participate in an event hosted by the Dream Day Foundation that provides a fun-filled day of no worries to the patients of St. Jude and their families. Last year, some of our staff, including myself, worked to rescue spectacled flying foxes that had been orphaned due to the record heatwave in Cairns, Australia. While in Australia, we also presented a donation check from fundraising to the Tree Kangaroo Rescue and Conservation Centre for their amazing work with tree kangaroos.”

“We participate in an event hosted by the Dream Day Foundation that provides a fun-filled day of no worries to the patients of St. Jude and their families. Last year, some of our staff, including myself, worked to rescue spectacled flying foxes that had been orphaned due to the record heatwave in Cairns, Australia.  While in Australia, we also presented a donation check from fundraising to the Tree Kangaroo Rescue and Conservation Centre for their amazing work with tree kangaroos.”
View this post on Instagram

Pumpkin Patch Time is nearly here! Who’s ready to visit our Annual Pumpkin Patch in Ethel, Louisiana? For only $12 a person you’ll get a pumpkin for the patch, meet animals across the Preserve, get lost in the corn maze, play in the corn pit, take a hayride, sit in on an animal show, and more! Festivities kick off October 5th and continue every Saturday and Sunday until November and every weekday for field trips. #pumpkinpatch #barnhill #southlouisiana #louisianatourism

A post shared by Barn Hill Preserve (@barnhillpreserve) on Aug 13, 2019 at 8:51pm PDT

“We are very passionate about the work we do here. We challenge the public to get active in what’s going on in the environment, the world around them, so we can ensure that wild places for wildlife are here for generations to come.”

“We are very passionate about the work we do here. We challenge the public to get active in what’s going on in the environment, the world around them, so we can ensure that wild places for wildlife are here for generations to come.”

Some people loved the idea

Some people loved the idea

While others weren't so positive

While others weren't so positive

Barn Hill Preserve decided to respond to the concerns

Barn Hill Preserve decided to respond to the concerns

And their response was appreciated

And their response was appreciated

Share this article:

Facebook icon Pinterest icon Tumblr icon Link icon Twitter icon

Related Articles

15 Hilarious Photos From The 2024 Comedy Pet Photo Awards

15 Hilarious Photos From The 2024 Comedy Pet Photo Awards

Cat Owner Made The Ultimate Cat-Sitting Manual To Ensure Her Cats Get Royal Treatment

Cat Owner Made The Ultimate Cat-Sitting Manual To Ensure Her Cats Get Royal Treatment

Here Are 30 Of The Cutest Animal Memes To Feel Your Day With Warmth And Fuzziness

Here Are 30 Of The Cutest Animal Memes To Feel Your Day With Warmth And Fuzziness

Cat Collects So Many Neighbor's Shoes, Owner Creates Facebook Group To Return Them

Cat Collects So Many Neighbor's Shoes, Owner Creates Facebook Group To Return Them

Exceptionally Rare "Doomsday Fish" Discovered Off Southern California Coast

Exceptionally Rare "Doomsday Fish" Discovered Off Southern California Coast

Here’s A Look At The World’s Largest Spider That’s Moved Into Northern South America

Here’s A Look At The World’s Largest Spider That’s Moved Into Northern South America

This Beloved Penguin Was Famous For A Fascinating Reason—And The World Is Morning Its Death

This Beloved Penguin Was Famous For A Fascinating Reason—And The World Is Morning Its Death

Lily Allen Gave Up Her Adopted Dog For The Strangest Reason

Lily Allen Gave Up Her Adopted Dog For The Strangest Reason

Toronto Zoo Orangutan's Daring Escape Attempt From Outdoor Habitat Caught On Video By Surprised Guests

Toronto Zoo Orangutan's Daring Escape Attempt From Outdoor Habitat Caught On Video By Surprised Guests

A Look At The Terrifying Moment Orca Came Into View With Trainer In Its Mouth

A Look At The Terrifying Moment Orca Came Into View With Trainer In Its Mouth

Scientists Detect DNA Of Alive Prehistoric Fish In The Connecticut River, Kicking Off A Race To Locate It

Scientists Detect DNA Of Alive Prehistoric Fish In The Connecticut River, Kicking Off A Race To Locate It

Golden Eagle Attacks 20-Month-Old Girl And Three Others In Norway, Leaving Deep Wounds

Golden Eagle Attacks 20-Month-Old Girl And Three Others In Norway, Leaving Deep Wounds

Portland Airport Gains Popularity Online For Its Therapy Liamas

Portland Airport Gains Popularity Online For Its Therapy Liamas

Artist's Reimagined Disney-Style Pet Portraits Leave Their Owners In Awe

Artist's Reimagined Disney-Style Pet Portraits Leave Their Owners In Awe

Scientists Poured Cement Into Abandoned Ant Hill And Made Interesting Discovery

Scientists Poured Cement Into Abandoned Ant Hill And Made Interesting Discovery

Gen Z Revamps Animal Shelter’s Marketing, and the Internet Can't Get Enough

Gen Z Revamps Animal Shelter’s Marketing, and the Internet Can't Get Enough

22 Heartwarming Pictures Of Overly Cute Dogs That'll Leave You Grinning From Ear To Ear

22 Heartwarming Pictures Of Overly Cute Dogs That'll Leave You Grinning From Ear To Ear

From Mischief To Fame—Raccoon Becomes TikTok Sensation

From Mischief To Fame—Raccoon Becomes TikTok Sensation

Veterinarian Sparks Debate By Naming 5 Dog Breeds He’d Avoid

Veterinarian Sparks Debate By Naming 5 Dog Breeds He’d Avoid

Philip, "The Sad Cat," Is Longer Upset After Reuniting With His Long-Distance Human After Two Years

Philip, "The Sad Cat," Is Longer Upset After Reuniting With His Long-Distance Human After Two Years

Famous "Catographer" Shares Some Of The Meanest-Looking Cat Portraits, And They Are Adorably Terrifying

Famous "Catographer" Shares Some Of The Meanest-Looking Cat Portraits, And They Are Adorably Terrifying

Canadian Border Agents Stunned By Unexpected Find After Peeking Into Mysterious Box From China

Canadian Border Agents Stunned By Unexpected Find After Peeking Into Mysterious Box From China

Four Pandas Delight Zoo Visitors With An Adorable Tea Party Picnic

Four Pandas Delight Zoo Visitors With An Adorable Tea Party Picnic

50 Rescued Cats and Their Inspiring Makeovers

50 Rescued Cats and Their Inspiring Makeovers

Cat’s Apology Card Goes Viral After Vet Visit Gone Wrong

Cat’s Apology Card Goes Viral After Vet Visit Gone Wrong

Historic 900-Year-Old English Abbey Officially Employs Two Dogs As Their Assistant Vergers

Historic 900-Year-Old English Abbey Officially Employs Two Dogs As Their Assistant Vergers

Categories

Funny Animals Interesting Freaky Pop Culture

Business

About Us Advertise Contact Us

Legal

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy DMCA Removal
 Logo
About Us Privacy DMCA Removal Contact Us Terms Funny Animals Interesting Freaky Pop Culture

© 2025 - All Rights Reserved

 logo

Sign In to

facebook icon Sign in with facebook
facebook icon Sign in with google

Or sign in with email

Need an account? Sign Up

Forgot Password?

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service

 logo

Sign Up to

Already have an account? Sign In

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service

Edit profile

User Photo