This article has been removed due to misleading statements and illegal practices by Otters & Others Zoo and Conservation.
UPDATED: June 8, 2023
According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), the exotic animals at Otters & Others Zoo and Conservation—including a red kangaroo, a sloth, a capybara, two red foxes, and two river otters—were illegally owned and were seized by DWR on May 12. DWR also discovered that one of the foxes was illegally obtained from the wild.
“The owner applied for certificates of registration for the exotic animals after already owning them, but those certificates of registration were denied on May 5,” said DWR spokesperson Faith Heaton Jolley. “We try to be accommodating of people when they follow the proper procedures and are able to adequately care for permitted animals. However, there were concerns for public safety and for the safety and welfare of these animals in this case.”
Jolley said the exotic animals have been relocated to accredited facilities that have proper registrations and accommodations. In addition, the DWR has recommended charges of unlawful importation of wildlife to the Tooele County Attorney’s Office.
One of the zoos that received some of the animals reached out to Good News Utah and confirmed that the animals were being cared for. The name of the facility is not being released to the public at this time.
In 2021, the owner of Otters & Others, Kristin Rasmussen, was accused of cruelty to an animal and doing business without a license. Court records show that she entered a plea in abeyance deal and was fined $300 on September 26, 2022.
Stockton’s town clerk confirmed to Good News Utah that Otters & Others does not currently have a business license. And according to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection, the organization is not registered as a nonprofit.
The mission of Good News Utah is to share uplifting stories about Utahns who are making a difference in their communities. We interviewed Rasmussen on April 28, and on June 5, when we asked Rasmussen to review our article for accuracy, she made no mention that her exotic animals had been seized and were no longer in her possession. We regret taking Rasmussen’s word at face value and are committed to thoroughly researching any people or organizations that we feature in the future.
