HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. -- Three river otters from a North Carolina exotic wildlife sanctuary are missing after officials at the Animal Ed.ventures found the enclosure and sanctuary gates open Wednesday morning.

• River otters are missing from Animal Ed.ventures
• The Harnett County Sheriff's Office is investigating.
• The otters names are Sigmund, Nessy, and Ned. 

The sanctuary director says the gates were double checked before closing Tuesday night, and no dirt or rocks appear to be disturbed by the enclosure.

However, he says that he did hear a loud noise in the middle of the night.

The Harnett County Sheriff's Office is investigating the disappearance of the otters, who are named Sigmund, Nessy, and Ned.

Anyone who can help in the case is asked to call the sheriff's office at 910-893-9111.