http://ipraudio.interlochen.org/OtterBook_WEB.mp3
For 50 years the Traverse City bayfront was home to the tiny Clinch Park Zoo. It closed permanently in September 2006 and, while many were sorry to see it go, it was especially painful for long-time zookeeper Tracy Mikowski. She was charged with finding new homes for all of the animals she'd cared for over the years.
Mikowski now plans to tell the animals' stories in a new series of children's picture books. The first book is the tale of Squirt the otter: the true story of an orphaned otter.
Mikowski now lives in Alaska. She's in northern Michigan this week, signing books Saturday at Horizon Books in Traverse City at 11:00am. She spoke with IPR's Linda Stephan.