Today’s story is from the Associated Press.
A sea otter pup found alone in Alaska has a new home at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium.
CHICAGO (AP) — An 8-week-old arrival from Alaska chirps loudly before devouring ice chips in the nursery at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium.
He is Pup EL2306 — proper name to be determined — a northern sea otter who was found alone and malnourished in the remote town of Seldovia in October and taken to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward.
Shedd, one of only a few facilities in the United States with the resources to care for rescued otters, was contacted by the SeaLife Center, and the aquarium’s otter team made the cross-country journey with the fluffy brown marine mammal who arrived in Chicago at the end of November.
“Caring for a little otter pup is just like caring for an infant,” including round-the-clock feeding, said Lana Gonzalez, a manager of penguins and otters at Shedd. “He also needs to get groomed. Sea otters have a very dense coat — there’s anywhere from 700,000 to a million hairs per square inch, and that’s what they use to keep themselves warm. They don’t have a thick layer of blubber or fat like other marine mammals do, so taking care of that coat is very important.
An otter mother would typically teach her offspring to groom. The aquarium team acts in her place to encourage the pup’s healthy development.
An eight-week-old sea otter rescued from Seldovia, Alaska, chews on ice chips in his enclosure at Shedd Aquarium Wednesday, Dec. 6,
The pup will remain in Shedd’s Regenstein Sea Otter Nursery for a few months, building bonds with the staff, and he will eventually be introduced to the otter habitat and the five other otters at the aquarium.2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Part of the growth process is moving pups from formula and small bits of clam to other solid foods. Gonzalez mentions the clam is “restaurant quality” and sustainably sourced.
Rescued pups are usually designated by the federal government as non-releasable, and the Shedd experts said pups need their mothers for the first year of life.
“Once we bring him into our care, he won’t be released back out into the natural environment, they’re just too used to people. But the good news is that he’ll be able to be an ambassador for his species here at the aquarium, so we’re really happy about that,” said Gonzalez.
The good news here is that a life was saved, and there are people who care about wildlife welfare. Today’s JohnKu talks about wildlife rescue. I hope you have a great weekend.
Life by John W. Howell © 2023
What is the measure?
Placed on a life worth saving . . .
Only human count?
Fiction Favorites 
All life counts John and it’s great we can ensure there is a place for it in safety. Hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, David. Hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can watch otters for hours, they are so playful. So, you KNOW I agree with this good news article!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad. There was a video in the article but it would not copy over to the post. Here’s the link if you want to view it. https://apnews.com/article/sea-otter-pup-chicago-alaska-rescue-347e609117acf7fb6d305aac2b5f6250
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, wasn’t that adorable. I’m glad the pup is in good hands!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this heart-warming story, John. I’ve always been fascinated by otters. They are such playful creatures. Great to hear that ‘Otto’ is being looked after so well. Like human beings, animals don’t ask to be born…and should receive as much care and respect. Have a very Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year. Cheers. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Joy. Happy Christmas and healthy new year to you and yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad that he was orphaned, but great that he gets a second chance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was amazed that otters can’t be released back into the wild. It looks like he will be well cared for anyway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My heart is melting… ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know how you feel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww…I love this, John. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jill. 😁
LikeLike
I love otters. When I lived on Saltspring Island, I used to watch them play at the water’s edge. Thank goodness for the kindness of the folks at the Alaska Sealife Center. Beautiful. Inspirational. Bravo, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Gwen. I would love to see them play. Sounds like a smile is all but impossible to keep from happening. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
All those years in Chicago, and I think I was at the Shedd Aquarium once. I didn’t realize they had an otter colony. I’m sure little EL2306 will thrive there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like you I lived in the Chicago area eight years and only went once or twice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are the only zoos/aquariums I approve of. Rescued animals, given a second chance is such a beautiful thing. We have such a zoo in the West Island of Montreal. They serve a dual purpose – rescue of animals that would not survive on their own in the wild and a means of teaching people about the animals of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
I am so happy for Otter-to-be-named! Thank you for sharing such a heartwarming story, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you liked it, Dale. It is heart warming for sure. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
You always pick wonderful stories to share.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dale. I always pick ones that I like too. 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Makes sense! 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s good to see humans working to help wildlife survive, John, especially when humans are the primary reason for the reduction of their numbers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah. I agree Tim. Humans should kick in to help. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, so cute. Glad the otter is okay.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too.
LikeLike
I have such admiration for these rescue shelters that take in animals that need help. This little one is adorable. You’ve seen those videos with otters holding hands and floating along in the water? Melts my heart every time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just love them. Thanks Lois.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also love otters. We saw quite a few in Alaska, and I would count myself lucky if I were the otter caretaker in Chicago! What a great job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would be fun to brush them. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful story, John. Looks like the little guy is gonna be a great hoopster when he gets older, and is certainly having a ball getting a second chance at life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think he’s going to be fine. Thanks, Bruce
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Shedd is a wonderful facility, and this is one cute little (lucky) guy! Here’s a big thanks to his rescuers — and a virtual hug for the brave survivor!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Debbie. I agree with your thanks and hug.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww, he’s adorable! I’m glad he was rescued and I hope he does really well at Shedd for years and years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do too. He should be happy there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww How cute is he.. So pleased to read he is in safe hands John 🙂
LikeLike
Poor little guy, I’m so happy he got rescued.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too, Denise. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are so much fun to watch. They are the most popular attraction at our local zoo. If I could be an animal, I’d choose to be an otter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They seem to have a lot of fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An adorable rescue pup!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is, Jo. I hope you have a great weekend
LikeLike
Your JohnKu is the perfect accompaniment to story! (I learned something about sea otters, too.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Liz.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is what you call a labor of love.
LikeLike
Awww, such a cute little guy! Glad he’s getting a chance to have a life!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too, Jan
LikeLike
What an adorable little critter. This is such a heartwarming tale, John. Wonderful Fri-Yay share!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mae
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our measure will be calculated by how we deal with those less fortunate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
At least I hope so, Pam. After volunteering in rescue some sights had me hoping the humans could be given the same treatment as the poor animals under their control.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a feel good story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is especially since otters are so darned cute.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for the good news story, John. I needed that immensely today and you delivered. It’s touching that there are so many people devoted to helping animals. What a great feel-good story. Thanks.
LikeLike
I enjoy animal rescue stories. They show that humans, some of us, do have a caring side for the more vulnerable.
LikeLike
They are adorable, John. So glad this one could be saved
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true, Dan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely wonderful post, John! So beautiful to see people who love animals at work to protect and save them in various ways. This little otter is adorable, and I’m so glad he was rescued. Thank you for sharing this most excellent feel-good story!! Fri-Yay, indeed! Love your JohnKu, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Marcia. I hope you have a beautiful week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG! He is sooo adorable. I’m so happy he didn’t have to suffer to death.
I’m going to be brutally honest.
There are animals I would save before saving certain humans.
Lovely good news, John, and a piquing JohnKu (which led to my brutal honesty).
O🦦 O🦦O🦦O🦦
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would save animals before most people. Thank you, Resa. O🦦 O🦦O🦦O🦦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhhh ter!
O🦦 O🦦O🦦O🦦
LikeLiked by 1 person
O🦦 O🦦 O🦦 O🦦
LikeLiked by 1 person
This makes my heart so happy – and he’s adorable!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He is. Thanks, Teri
LikeLiked by 1 person
A sweet story of second chances John. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is, Debby. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s not a whole lot cuter than sea otters!
Another blogger sent me this. It’s long, so maybe not suited for your purposes. Plus, it starts with bad news, but the good that has come from it ought to be replicated around the world. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67714026
Anyhow, cheers to you, John! Happy holidays!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this, Betsy. You are so right. The length is a little bit beyond my usual posts. It is a great story and I’m touched you thought about a story for my Friday feature. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was sort of like, This is good news! Who can I share it with? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, what a cutie! May he thrive in his new home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Let’s hope so.
LikeLiked by 1 person