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Sea Otter Reared at Aquarium has a Pup of Her Own

A stranded sea otter reared as a pup by one of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's exhibit sea otters and released to the wild gives birth to a pup of her own—the first for a surrogate-reared animal in the history of the Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation program (SORAC). The male pup is born in waters near Moss Landing, and is strong and healthy.

The mother was found stranded at Manresa State Beach in Santa Cruz County California when she was about four weeks old. At weaning age, she was implanted with a radio transmitter to allow SORAC staff to keep track of her once released to the wild.

Despite decades of federal and state protection, sea otter recovery in California has been slow. SORAC's work—including the surrogate program—is helping support the recovery of the sea otter population along our coast.

Find out more about saving sea otters