People are obsessed with an animal preserve that lets visitors have the fun of their life by swimming and playing in a pull filled with tiny otters.
Among their organized activities, Barn Hill Preserve allows people to swim with otters in a pool or chill with sloths in the backyard.
Before enjoying the presence of these lovely animals, the participants have to prove they are at least 16 years old and must sign a waiver.
“We are a federally licensed facility in Ethel, Louisiana. Our otter swims are a very limited experience as we don’t provide many,” John Ligon, the CEO and President of Barn Hill Preserve, said in an interview with Bored Panda.
“The swim experience includes a tour of the preserve which includes African servals, red kangaroos, and a climate-controlled sloth exhibit.”
As the preserve explained, the time and the slots available for swimming with otters are very limited in order to avoid stressing out the animals and ensure they have a pleasant encounter as well.
“We also provide a home for animals, including a large group of free-flying macaws. These macaws have lifespans of up to 80 years and possess intelligence that compares with human toddlers. We help these birds learn to fly so they can live out their 80 years in the Louisiana countryside,” the CEO added.
“We hope that seeing these birds fly in a flock, will inspire people to help protect their wild cousins, who are rapidly losing land to human development. Some animals are owner surrenders, while others are planned acquisitions from Federally licensed facilities.”
Speaking of the unique experience of swimming with otters, Ligon confirmed that the animals aren’t forced into any interactions.
“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,” he said.
“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.
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More information: Instagram | barnhillpreserve.com | Facebook
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