Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium Welcomes a Rescued Sea Otter Pup from Alaska

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Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium has recently become the new home for a young sea otter pup, discovered alone in Seldovia, Alaska. The 8-week-old, yet-to-be-named pup, referred to as Pup EL2306, was found in a malnourished state in October and subsequently cared for at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward.

Recognizing the need for specialized care, the SeaLife Center reached out to Shedd Aquarium, one of the few U.S. facilities equipped to handle rescued otters. The otter team from Shedd undertook the journey across the country, bringing the brown, furry marine mammal to Chicago by the end of November.

Lana Gonzalez, Shedd’s manager of penguins and otters, likens nurturing the young otter to infant care, emphasizing the importance of constant feeding and grooming. Sea otters rely on their exceptionally dense fur, comprising up to a million hairs per square inch, for warmth instead of blubber. Proper grooming is thus crucial for their wellbeing.

In the absence of its mother, the aquarium staff has taken on the role of teaching the pup essential grooming skills. Tracy Deakins, the otter supervisor, uses clean towels to encourage the pup to groom itself, guiding it to clean various parts of its fur.

Currently residing in the Regenstein Sea Otter Nursery, the pup is forming bonds with the aquarium staff. In the coming months, it will transition to the otter habitat, joining five other otters. Part of its developmental process involves dietary changes, moving from formula and small pieces of clam to a variety of solid foods. Gonzalez assures that the clams provided are of high quality and sustainably sourced.

Typically, sea otter pups require their mother’s care for the first year. Therefore, pups rescued at such a young age, like EL2306, are often deemed non-releasable by federal authorities. Gonzalez notes that while the pup won’t return to the wild, it will serve as an ambassador for its species at the aquarium, a role the team is enthusiastic about.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Shedd Aquarium Otter

More about Shedd Aquarium Otter

• Shedd Aquarium Official Website
• Alaska SeaLife Center
• Sea Otter Conservation
• Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Programs
• Understanding Sea Otters’ Habitat and Behavior