Sea otters are naturally close-knit and for young pups, separation from their mother can leave them helpless to survive. Such is the case for one weeks-old otter that needed a hero, and fast. Thankfully, the Vancouver Aquarium stepped in to bring the sweet baby back to health—so she can one day live the life she deserves.
The June 20, 2024 TikTok video posted by CBC Vancouver ( @cbcvancouver ) shows their newest rescue otter being adorable as she naps in the safety of their care. Watch the heart-melting video below!
"The Vancouver Aquarium has rescued a weeks-old sea otter pup that was found in critical condition," the caption says. "Rescue workers say they're cautiously optimistic the pup will survive under their care."
The small, fluffy, female otter, whom is estimated to be mere weeks old, is shown in the video napping at the Marine Mammal Rescue Center with her little paws up and two toys beside her. Rescue Senior Manager Lindsaye Akhurst says there are no particulars about what happened to the pup's mother, but the rescue was a team effort through local fisheries who found her alone. They quickly rushed her to the rescue via ferry so the team could stabilize the pup with food, water, and medical care.
Akhurst said that, because otter babies stay with mom for at least six months, this little one would still be nursing. So, they're doing just that. "We're providing around the clock care for her," she said adding it's "very intensive," bottle feeding every two hours, grooming her, and teaching her how to groom herself—something her mom would typically teach.
Related: Day in the Life of Sea Otter Trainer at Georgia Aquarium Looks Like a Dream
Can a Baby Sea Otter Survive Without Their Mom?
The rescue center says that, because babies wean for 6-8 months and don't learn to swim until 4 weeks, moms take great care to wrap them in kelp if they need to go hunt for food. The rest of the time, babies are carried on Mom's chest to groom and protect them.
Listed as a threatened species, otters (who also mate for life) need each other. And, without their mothers at such a young age, survival is difficult (if not impossible) for otter pups to make it without the help of caring humans.
This precious baby otter's story isn't over, and there's a lot of growing and healing she has to do before she can be re-released. But for now she's safe, warm, and utterly adorable.
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