If you find yourself overwhelmed by the daily grind of parenting, work, and chores, you might be asking, “What could possibly help me unwind?” Well, how about swimming with Asian small-clawed otters? At Barn Hill Preserve in Ethel, Louisiana, you can enjoy an unforgettable experience with these pint-sized cuties.
The small-clawed otter is the tiniest otter species in the world, making their playful antics utterly irresistible. At Barn Hill Preserve, you can join a small group of three others for an hour-long swim with these delightful creatures. The entire experience lasts about three hours, which includes a guided tour of the preserve, where you’ll have the chance to meet various animal ambassadors, such as kangaroos, pythons, armadillos, and lynx. To participate, swimmers must be at least 16 years old, and the otters typically spend around 35 minutes in the water to ensure a positive experience for them.
But that’s not all—Barn Hill Preserve also offers the chance to hang out with sloths! You can pet them and engage in leisurely activities you’d enjoy if you had an afternoon to spend with these exotic animals.
For seven years, the preserve has been dedicated to educating the community about conservation and animal rescue, allowing children to get up close and personal with species they may never encounter otherwise. “We’ve been providing otter swims for three years and sloth encounters for five years,” says the preserve’s director, Mark Davis. “Each year, we see over 20,000 visitors and have reached more than a million students through our outreach program.” Notably, their educational programs are entirely free for schools and students, funded by the sale of photos with live animal ambassadors, which are offered for $10 each.
The cost for the otter swim and tour is $154 per person, while sloth encounters (or interactions with any other fascinating animals) are priced at $44 for adults and $38 for children, with toddlers under two admitted free of charge. It seems like the perfect way to spend a day! If you’re intrigued, check out this related post on home insemination.
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Summary
Barn Hill Preserve offers an exciting opportunity to swim with the smallest otters in the world, along with unique encounters with sloths and other animals. With an emphasis on education and conservation, this preserve welcomes visitors of all ages to connect with wildlife and learn about their importance in our ecosystem.
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