Adorable Orphaned Sea Otters Rescued by Minnesota Zoo Are Touching Hearts
In a heartwarming post shared on Friday, two adorable orphaned otter pups are receiving care at the Minnesota Zoo after being rescued by the Alaska SeaLife Center just days apart from one another.
One of the pups that has been named Denali is just five months old and the other, named Nuka, is only seven weeks. Just look at how precious they are!
The Minnesota Zoo shared the following post on Facebook. "Northern sea otter pups are highly dependent on their mothers during the first several months of their life, leading to a drastically reduced survival rate when orphaned. While the two female pups still have a long health journey ahead, their futures are looking more optimistic. Now in the care of Zoo staff, the pups are receiving around-the-clock care, which includes extensive monitoring and assistance with eating, grooming, and swimming. The pair will remain behind the scenes for the next few months as they continue to grow and acclimate."
Sea otter mamas have a strong bond with their babies. They will care for and protect their young until they are weaned and able to fend for themselves. This bond lasts for several months, and in some cases, mothers and pups may stay together for a year or more. One of these pups belonged to a mom that was killed by an orca.
CBS News reports, "Animal care staff are helping Nuka and Denali with things they would usually learn from their moms in their wild. Nuka practices her adult skills, swimming and using her hands to with the ice and toys to learn how to hunt."
We hope these two continue to grow and thrive in their new home!
If you would like information about the Minnesota Zoo, including their sea otter inhabitants, operating hours and location, you can visit their website here.
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