[all photos in this post courtesy of Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez]
Well, well, who do we have here? This little cutie-pie baby sea otter is the latest addition to call Chicago’s, “Shedd Aquarium” her new home; her journey to arrive at the Shedd is remarkable.
At approximately one week old, weighing a mere two pounds (and that is probably “soaking wet”), this tiny sea otter was found on Coastways Beach in California. A local resident taking an early evening stroll heard the cries of this dear little soul. The good Samaritan immediately notified authorities; however, due to impending nightfall, no rescue could take place until the next morning, given the sea otter pup’s remote location.
It was determined that she was orphaned; as such, she needed immediate care and nutrition. The Monterey Bay Aquarium initially took the pup into its fold, where it houses a special, “Sea Otter Program”. This program (formed in 1984) partners with other aquariums in order to provide special care for sea otters who are distressed, injured, stranded, or abandoned. Sea Otter, “681”, as our playful pup was named, needed round-the-clock care.
Enter the phenomenal staff at the Shedd Aquarium!
Having arrived here in Chicago on November 4th, the sweet sea otter pup has 24-hour care; all the while she is establishing her sea otter demeanor, such as grooming, feeding, exploring, and keeping her body temperature balanced by getting in and out of water.
When I first saw the photos of our sea otter baby, she struck me as a, “Pearl”; I don’t know why, really, but she looks like her name should be, “Pearl”.
The fine folks at the Shedd are doing a stupendous job at acclimatizing (my Pearl) to her new home. I cannot think of a better place for her to hang her sea-faring hat!
Wow! That is a cutie!
Isn’t she just? 🙂 🙂 🙂
A pearl. Yes, Pearl.
Yeay! Thank you, Bruce!! Cher xo
such a cutie!!
She sure is, John!! Cher xo
Otters live in your neck of the woods.. None around here:(
Well, the otters are at the Shedd Aquarium; no otters in Chicago otherwise (I wish there were)! Cher xo
oh he is soooooo adorable! <3
I agree, Cindy!! Cher xo
There isn’t many things cuter than sea otters!
I agree, Phil!! Cher xo
Aw, that is adorable. Thanks.
Isn’t she a sweetie, Joseph? I am so happy to know her rough start has now turned into a nurturing and loving environment! Cher xo
Those kind people are beautiful. Such a lovely act of caring for this little sweetie! A heart warming post, Cher. 🙂 Have a wonderful day. Love, Iris.
Ah yes, dear Iris; I agree! She’s a dear little soul, and I am so grateful the Shedd Aquarium has adopted her into a loving environment! Thank you, Iris, you too! Love, Cher xo
That’s just too cute!!
Isn’t she adorable? I saw a video (wish I could post vids on my blog) where you can hear her little noises; she wanted to get back into the water, but her caregiver knew it was time for a snack! Cher xo
Pearl is perfect for this little jewel. How incredibly adorable. I’m glad she wasn’t further stressed by having to wait for rescue and during the move. What a great job people did in taking care of this precious little bundle.
Awh, thank you! I don’t know what this little pup will eventually be called, but to me I cannot help but call her, “Pearl” yes, it was quite an amazing feat to get her from California to Chicago, but they did a fantastic job. She sure looks like a happy “Pearl” now, bless her! Cher xo
Cute!
Isn’t she, David? I love the photo of her with the baby teething rings! *LOL* cher xo
So cute and such a wonderful story, Cher. Will she eventually be released back in to her habitat or will she have to stay there?
Ah, thank you, dear Don! Yes, the Shedd Aquarium here in Chicago will be her permanent home. There are other otters she will eventually meet, and I am sure she will thrive among them. I don’t know the criteria that is used to release a sea otter back into their natural habitat, but I should think in this case it has something to do with the fact that she is a pup. Perhaps if she was older, they could release her. I have a feeling she’ll be a happy girl in her new home!! Cher xo
I’m sure she will be. Thanks Cher.
Thank you, Don!
Lovely – gladdens your heart to see such care for this tiny baby.
Hi dear Mo! Yes, I quite agree; and to think she was a little tiny thing, but she has a good set of lungs on her! That’s how the passerby heard her cries! She can now be a happy, playful, otter!! Cher xo
How a cute a splash is that! 🙂 Sending your a Weekend thought Cher.. Hope all is well with you.. Love and Blessings Have a great New week..
Sue
Hi Sue! Yes, she sure is a dear, isn’t she? Awh, bless! Thank you, Sue! And the same to you!! Cher xo
Aww, Cher – she’s absolutely adorable. We do get sea otters around the coast here, but they’re very shy and quite rare, so you’d be lucky to see one. I think they’re mostly in Scotland!
Hi Veronica! She sure is a cutie-pie, isn’t she? Ah, I didn’t know they were shy and quite rare around the coast! I am looking forward to this little gem getting older and perhaps she’ll be splashing and playing for everyone to see her! Right now, she’s in a special ‘nursery’! *grin* Cher xo
Oh the cuteness!!!
That dear little furry head is what gets me!! Cher xo
Reblogged this on kraftycatcreations and commented:
This is too cute not to share! Just gives me the warm and fuzzies looking at those sweet pictures.
A very lucky precious baby, Cher. Thanks so much for bringing this special info to us. Babies, no matter the species, are blessings.
Awh, thank you, dear Carol! I agree; babies are blessings and special! This little girl has so much love for her already, which is truly wonderful!! Cher xo
So Sweet! <3 🙂
Awh, isn’t she just the sweetest? I will be watching her progress! Cher xo
So adorable. Yes, please keep us informed 🙂 xox
I shall be happy to do that; thank you for asking, my dear! Cher xo
Another individual I’ll have to meet when I next visit, though she’ll be a little bigger by then.
Oh yes Hilary, you will have to meet her next visit! I am certain she’ll be a little bigger by then! I cannot wait to see her! Cher xo
so cute!!!
Isn’t she just adorable? 🙂
Oh, so cute!!!
Isn’t she just? What a dolly! 🙂
She is SO cute! I agree, she looks like a Pearl! Love how she seems to be waving ‘hi’ in the last pic! Thanks for the dose of cuteness, Cher!x
Awh, thanks Laura! Isn’t she a sweetheart? Yes, she does look like she’s waving! Apparently she’s up to 8 pounds now! I think they will end up naming her with something to do with California (where she’s from, the little dear). But to me, she’s Pearl!! Cher xo
The cutest thing I ever saw! 🙂 <3 Great post, thank you.
Have a wonderful, cozy weekend, Dina
Awh, bless! Thank you, dear Dina! You too! Cher xo
Lovely story about a wonderful rescue of a cute baby.
Ah, thank you! She is certainly a gem!! Cher xo