Rescue and Release: The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Program

From humble pup-bringings to ecosystem engineer, follow the journey an orphaned sea otter pup takes through our pioneering rescue program!

____

The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Program was the first in the world to use surrogate sea otter mothers to raise stranded pups for release back to the wild.

Since the program began over 30 years ago, the otters rescued and release by the Aquarium have had significant impacts on the health of their coastal ecosystem.

They've helped to restore the eelgrass beds of Elkhorn Slough, a wetland in Monterey Bay. Maybe one day, this same success story will be told in other coastal areas in California and beyond.

[MontereyBayAquarium]

Thank you all so much for your support. We couldn't do our work without you! 🐾❤️

[johansugarev]

Probably the best video on the internet.

[robin.jashinsky]

Those little sea otter pup cries! She's so cute! That must hurt when the surrogate mother has to give up the little fur baby.

[angelica-]

Yay, I’m happy the baby sea otter has been rescued by you guys! I’m so glad about all this helpful pleasure 😊.

[vissa]

Love that they are keeping them wild. It must be tough on volunteers and surrogates to not have any attachment

[momotaroreincarnatednthtim]

Resident otter mom should get a raise. Congrats to all! So happy they are bringing these pups back to the wild.

[saedrix]

From 2014-2020, 95% of the Kelp forest ranging from Sam Francisco to Oregon has been eradicated by sea urchins (Kelp forests combat the warning of the oceans, especially locally, by absorbing large amounts of carbon). Not coincidentally, there are very, very few otters that live in those waters these days. Otters can and do eat over 25% of their body weight daily, and they love to chow down on sea urchins. We NEED the otter population to bounce back STAT.

Great program. I love otters 🦦

[veralenora]

Several decades ago I visited MBA after they had just made the decision to abandon raising rescue pups.
Released into the wild the pups did not survive.
BUT all the rescue work had been done by humans.
I am so glad to find out surrogate moms, sea otter females, not humans, could save the pups and released into the wild the pups thrived.

[westcoastbestcoast]

who's cutting onions😭 so beautiful. THank you to the staff involved who care deeply about these animals and I hope they flourish!

[ShebrewQueen]

Sounds like our Joey. 💕 🤗
Thank you sir the wonderful work you do.

[lisamorice]

After seeing sea otters for ourselves when we visited California in 2017 I have to say I have a love of these adorable creatures. Thank you for all you're doing for them. When we come back someday I'd love to visit the aquarium.

[instagraham]

MBA is awesome. Sent them some cash to try and help. Hopefully Joey is helping all sea otters. I think he is. He helps me, that's for sure.

[suesylvester]

Sending you so much love and respect! Amazing little animals.. I hope for their comeback in the wild, and I can’t say enough for these surrogate moms!

[tarmach]

SO much hard work! Very glad for people and organizations that do this❤

[Loricather]

So proud of the excellent work and research you guys have done for decades, and for being able to celebrate with you verifiable success in your mission with the sea otters. Go Team! Let's save this planet, and especially its helpless inhabitants.

[leeroyjerkins]

Thank you for saving Their Cuteness The Sea Otters!

[macjgp]

You're doing such an amazing work. ❤️
Love, from Portugal

[i_quit_a_long_time_ago_lol]

I'm glad your helping babies and adult otters survive the wild😊!

[veralenora]

So glad to find this vid! Many decades ago I was at the Aquarium and was told the sea otter pup rescue program had been discontinued, because so often the pups died when released to the wild.
Obviously, you've come up with some new methods!
That work!
Hurrah!

[barrelbobcats_rebelion]

This is a great service. Thank you for saving otters and keeping the cuteness alive!