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Beloved Virginia Aquarium otter passed away unexpectedly

Virginia Aquarium’s North American river otter, Sheldon, passed away.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — 12-year-old North American river otter, Sheldon, passed away on Thursday, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s announced.

Virginia Aquarium staff are grieving after Sheldon unexpectedly passed during a routine annual exam. His exam included bloodwork, endoscopy, ultrasound, radiographs and a general check-up.

Sheldon had no signs of health abnormalities before or during the procedure.  

The veterinary team will be conducting a necropsy to determine the cause of death.

He was born in 2012 and rescued as a newborn after being abandoned by his mother.

Sheldon enjoyed ice and car wash strips. He liked to suck on his paw, burrow and be vocal with chirps and humming.

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