If having an otter climb into your lap or watching a penguin waddle over to investigate your shoes sounds like a good day, Chase Sanctuary has you covered.

Style recently got an up-close look at two of the newest animal experiences offered at the nonprofit sanctuary in Webster, and these aren’t your typical look-but-don’t-touch animal encounters.

First up was Siren, an adorable and very friendly baby otter who wasted little time making herself the center of attention. Brody Broderick, Chase’s director of tours and experiences, led the encounter with an easygoing demeanor and genuine expertise, sharing information about otters while allowing Siren’s personality to steal the show.

Then came the penguins.

Led by Amber Lockard, who oversees Chase’s African penguin program, the encounter gives guests the chance to get remarkably close to the critically endangered birds while learning about their behaviors, personalities and challenges in the wild.

Chase currently offers both a dry penguin encounter, where visitors can meet and feed the birds and a penguin swim that puts guests directly into their habitat pool. The sanctuary also offers otter feeding experiences and swim lessons with a young otter.

Both encounters are fun and educational but there is a much bigger purpose behind them.

Chase Sanctuary is a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and preserving endangered primates and exotic animals. The sanctuary says proceeds from its experiences go directly toward animal care, habitat upkeep and conservation efforts.

That work stretches far beyond Webster. Chase supports African penguin conservation through the Dyer Island Conservation Trust in South Africa, funds field biologists and monitoring efforts in Madagascar and supports Proyecto Tití’s work protecting critically endangered cotton-top tamarins and their forest habitat in Colombia. Closer to home, its butterfly garden provides habitat for monarchs and other pollinators.

There are plenty of other creatures to meet, too. Chase cares for primates, sloths, anteaters, wildcats, capybaras, miniature cows, birds and other exotic species. Visitors can choose from experiences including Painting with Primates, lemur tours, wildcat and carnivore tours, Keeper for a Day, sloth and anteater encounters, fennec fox encounters and even lemur yoga.

And for those who aren’t ready to leave, Chase Hacienda offers overnight accommodations surrounded by sanctuary animals.

Just don’t load up the car and show up unannounced. Chase Sanctuary is open to the public by appointment only and experiences must be booked in advance.

The animals may be what bring visitors through the gates, but Chase hopes they leave understanding why protecting them matters.

And if a penguin in your lap or an otter by your side helps make that connection, all the better.    

Photos: Cindy Peterson