Montreal's Ecomuseum mourns death of 'cherished' rescue otter, Pika
Pika, an otter that made the Ecomuseum Zoo her home since 2016, died on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest during a medical procedure, leaving staff bereft.
"Her departure leaves an immense void in the hearts of all those fortunate enough to have witnessed her flourish in her living space," a press release said.
Pika the otter lived with other otters at the Ecomuseum Zoo after being saved from the fur trade.
The adorable creature was born in the wild but was taken in by the non-profit outdoor zoo after she was first captured for the fur trade and then rescued, the zoo explained.
The river otter was believed to have been of advanced age and so when the zoo's team detected some worrying signs, they decided to investigate.
Pika was placed under anesthesia. It was then that she went into cardiac arrest and the veterinarians couldn't revive her.
Described as an "ambassador" of their mission, David Rodrigue, the Ecomuseum's Executive Director said Pika was important for "raising awareness and a constant reminder of the fragility of our ecosystem and the need to protect our biodiversity."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.