The Minnesota Zoo introduced that it’s caring for two sea otter pups present in Alaska. The 2 feminine sea otter pups had been dropped at the Minnesota Zoo because of their partnership with the Alaska Sealife Center (ASLC). Once receiving the preliminary triage care in Alaska, they had been dropped at the Minnesota Zoo to obtain 24/7 care. According to an organizational launch,1 the two pups had been named Denali after the tallest peak in North America, and Nuka, named after the Alaskan island off the Kenai peninsula.
Nuka (Images courtesy of the Minnesota Zoo)
The staff in Alaska discovered Nuka on September 9, 2023, when an off-duty ASLC workers member witnessed Nuka and her mom being attacked by an orca. After Nuka’s mom didn’t resurface after the attack, the ASLC deployed their Wildlife Response staff, working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW), to rescue Nuka and convey her in to obtain care.
Days earlier than the attack on Nuka and her mom, ASLC obtained studies of an deserted otter pup 5 miles up a river close to Kenai, Alaska, an space reportedly not widespread for sea otters.1 The rescued pup, who would later be named Denali, was about 5 months old and offered with dehydration and malnourishment. After not finding her mom within the space, the ASLC, with permission from USFW, introduced within the pup for care.
“It’s all the time a problem working with such young animals as a result of their well being standing can change so quickly,” stated defined Anne Rivas, DVM, Minnesota Zoo director of animal well being, within the launch.1
“We have separate areas arrange for every of the otters,” defined Kurt Heizmann, Minnesota Zoo Director of Animal Care. “The youngest otter shall be cared for in her personal behind-the-scenes nursery.”
Sea otter pups rely closely on their moms for the primary yr of their life. The mom, who usually chases away the daddy of the pups, carries the pups on her abdomen till they’re about 2 months old after they skinny begin swimming and diving on their very own.2 Once they’re greater than a yr old, they go away their moms and head out on their very own.
The pair is at present receiving around-the-clock care on the Minnesota Zoo, the place their well being is being monitored and they’re receiving help with consuming, grooming, and swimming. Denali and Nuka have an extended street forward of them and can stay behind the scenes for the subsequent few months.
Reference
- Minnesota Zoo caring for 2 orphaned sea otter pups. News launch. Minnesota Zoo. October 27, 2023. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/minnesota-zoo-caring-for-two-orphaned-sea-otter-pups-301970258.html
- Otter. The San Diego Zoo. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/otter
