Featured Image Credit: Alaska SEA LIFE Center
By Sarah Sharkey
A sea otter pup is receiving 24-hour care at the Alaska SeaLife Center’s “I.Sea.U”. The center is inviting visitors to watch the rehabilitation process in real time. The pup is in a public area where visitors can observe the animal care specialists taking care of this adorable little pup.
The pup was estimated to be about three weeks old when he was admitted to the ‘I.Sea.U’ on March 18th. Dr. Kathy Woodie, veterinarian at the Alaska SeaLife Center, said, “This little otter pup shows every indication of thriving under our care. He is eager to groom himself, is turning himself over in the water and has learned to dive.”
This young otter pup was very lucky to be placed here because it is unlikely he would have survived in the ocean without his mother. Young sea otter can be entirely independent on their mother for nine months. Which means that the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response and Rehabilitation Program is playing the role of mother to this young otter.
According to the center, he is hitting all of the expected developmental milestones. But the sea otter pup must learn all of the vital life skills before he heads back out into the wild. An especially important thing to teach him is good grooming habits because maintaining a healthy coat is important for otter health.
He has a long road ahead of him, but he is in good hands at the Alaska SeaLife Center. They will make sure that he is ready before sending him back out into the deep blue sea.