Orphaned Sea Otter Pup Rescued Alone Finds a Surrogate Mom Ahead of Mother’s Day (Exclusive)

A young sea otter named Sunny has found a surrogate mother and role model in Rey, a two-year-old female otter, at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. The relationship between the two otters has developed remarkably since Sunny’s arrival, providing new hope for orphaned pups in the aquarium’s care.

Sunny, who is currently 16 weeks old, was discovered alone near Asilomar State Beach when she was just two and a half weeks old. After receiving initial rehabilitation at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, she was deemed non-releasable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This status made her an ideal candidate for the aquarium’s surrogacy programme aimed at training surrogate otters to care for orphaned pups.

Brett Long, senior vice president of animal care at the aquarium, reported that the pairing of Sunny and Rey was almost instantaneous. “Within moments of putting the two sea otters together, Rey engaged with Sunny and immediately began to act as if she was a mother,” said Long. “The interaction was very positive right from the start.”

Rey, who joined the aquarium in March, comes with prior experience of social behaviour with other otters from her time at SeaWorld San Diego. The staff at the aquarium had high hopes that her innate maternal instincts would extend to Sunny, and it appears they were correct.

Just around a week and a half ago, Sunny and Rey transitioned into the aquarium’s main sea otter habitat, where they can now be observed by visitors. This move has allowed Rey to take on the protective role of a surrogate mother, even introducing Sunny to fish for the first time. Long noted, “Both otters are adjusting and adapting well to the new environment.”

Since arriving at the aquarium, Sunny has shown significant growth, increasing her weight from approximately 12 pounds to nearly 15 pounds. During this time, she has been developing essential survival behaviours, such as grooming and foraging, which are vital skills for her future.

Long explained the importance of such surrogacy programmes, stating, “Sea otters differ from some marine mammal species in that they require teaching to take care of themselves. They need to learn how to groom, forage, and generally act like an otter.” This nurturing is crucial, especially as Sunny prepares for a life that won’t involve being released into the wild.

The Aquarium of the Pacific has been part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s surrogacy initiative since 2020, contributing to the rehabilitation of ten sea otter pups that were subsequently prepared for release back into their natural habitat. With Sunny unable to be released, the aquarium sees a unique future for her, as she could assist in the care of other orphaned otter pups.

Long expressed excitement about Sunny’s potential impact on future surrogacy efforts: “We hope that as she matures, she will be able to fulfil the role of a surrogate mother herself by the time she reaches three or four years old. Raising her under Rey’s guidance could be instrumental for many orphaned pups in the years to come.”

As Sunny continues to bond with Rey and grow stronger, the aquarium remains hopeful about her future role in the surrogacy programme, not just as a recipient of care, but as a facilitator of nurturing for other orphaned otter pups. This heartwarming initiative underscores the complexities of animal care and rehabilitation and highlights the importance of maternal role models in the wild.

The success of this bonding process at the Aquarium of the Pacific is a testament to innovative conservation efforts and a reminder of the delicate balance of marine life. Both Sunny and Rey exemplify the spirit of resilience and maternal instinct, paving the way for a brighter future for sea otters in care.