ASLC treating a third rescued sea otter pup

A little sea otter pup named Juniper, rescued in December and now thriving at the Alaska SeaLife Center, enjoying her meal. Photo courtesy of ASLC

A female sea otter pup rescued from a beach at Anchor Point in December is now thriving at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward is now stabilized and has become a companion for another rescued sea otter pup, ASLC officials say.

The female pup, now named Juniper, was brought to ASLC on Dec. 12 after being found stranded near a deceased adult sea otter being scavenged b a bald eagle. There is speculation that the deceased otter was the pup’s mother, but there is no way to confirm that.

Juniper initially weighing 11 pounds, arrived in critical condition, covered in dirt.

After days of intensive care, she stabilized and she has since been introduced to Pushki, a male sea otter pup rescued in November, as they are similar in size and age.

“The pups were initially curious about one another and vocalized back and forth for quite some time,” said Jane Belovarac, wildlife response curator. “We watched them play, swim and groom each other, which are all behaviors that we like to see during a sea otter introduction.”

Plans are to now introduce the duo to the center’s third sea otter, Lupine, who was admitted to the program last July.

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The sea otters require 24/7 care from ASLC staff until they are about six months old.

The center’s wildlife response program operates largely with support from donors like ConocoPhillips, Marathon Petroleum Corp., SeaWorld Bush Gardens Conservation Fund, Pet Zoo, GCI, Sea Otter Foundation & Trust and others. Individual contributions are welcome.

Learn more about ASLC at alaskasealife.org.

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