A baby sea otter created some tidal waves over the Internet recently when a video of her learning to float was uploaded to YouTube gaining over 3 million views. According to MyFoxBoston.com, the pup was found on a San Mateo County beach by a local resident who had heard her cries of distress. The pup was quickly rushed to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Karl Mayer, animal care coordinator for the Sea Otter Program, reveals to MyFoxBoston.com, “On arrival at Monterey Bay Aquarium, she weighed 1 kg, which is tiny for a newborn sea otter, and she had been separated from mom for at least 16 hours. This meant it was critical that we begin to get calories into her as quickly as possible.”
Mayer also explains in an interview with National Geographic, that wild pups about five weeks old tend to be comfortable in the water and their swimming abilities. However, this pup, named Pup 681, is the same age and is a bit behind so she needs a little more help, but not the kind of help you would provide to a child learning how to swim. Mayer says they are encouraging her to develop an otter state of mind without getting into the water with her.
After four weeks of intensive care and weighing in at six pounds, she is now ready to leave and go to her forever home at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, a collaborative partner of Monterey Bay Aquarium. Vice President of animal collections for Shedd Aquarium, Tim Binder, tells MyFoxBoston.com, “While the process is lengthy, our hands-on experience and long history rehabilitating sea otters allows us to use our expertise to work on saving this pup’s life to providing her with a home and the care she needs.”
Watch the adorable video below of Pup 681 learning to float. If you would like to get update’s on her progress, you can check out the Shedd Aquarium's blog.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
