The 16-week-old pup, currently known as 502 in reference to the number of stranded otters brought into the aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation program since 1984, made her public debut July 28 with Joy, a 12-year-old female otter who has been a surrogate mother to 12 other abandoned pups, according to associate curator of mammals Chris DeAngelo.
The young otter arrived at the aquarium malnourished, dehydrated and suffering from an infection caused by worms on June 30 after she was found stranded on Morro Strand State Beach in San Luis Obispo County.
DeAngelo said the pup will remain on exhibit as long as she continues to show signs of adapting well to her new home and responds to ongoing treatment.
Visitors and otter enthusiasts can visit the otter in person or watch her online on the aquarium's otter cam, a live video stream active every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at www.montereybayaquarium.org/efc/efc--otter/otter--cam.aspx.
