Salt Lake City 2002 Mascot 'Otto' - an otter

    

The mascot for the Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City 2002 was Otto the otter. Ancient Indian tribes considered the otter to be one of the most powerful of all animals. After being nearly wiped out by pollution and overtrapping the river otter has been reintroduced to Utah and can be seen along the banks of the Green River and near Flamig Gorge. The otter was chosen as the official mascot of the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympic Winter Games because he embodies vitality and agility, and represents the spirit of every Paralympian.

2002年盐湖城冬季残奥会吉祥物奥托（Otto），古印第安部落认为水獭是最强有力的动物之一。由于人口激增和过度捕杀，犹他州的水獭几乎绝迹。但在重新引入这一物种之后，人们又可以在绿河沿岸看见它们的身影。水獭被选为盐湖城2002年冬季残奥会吉祥物，是因为它体现了活力和机敏，并代表了每一位残疾人运动员的精神。