The Monterey Bay Aquarium - Saving Sea Otters

The Monterey Bay Aquarium and SORAC Work Diligently to Save Sea Otters

(Special Dedication to Joy

for Sea Otter Awareness Week 2012)

 

By Diane Tomecek

 

For anyone who loves sea otters, what could be better than a visit to Monterey, CA? You have the ability to see these endearing creatures in their natural habitat as you stroll along the waterfront of the Monterey Bay and, even better, you can befriend three others (Mae, Rosa and Abby) as you end your walk at the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium [MBA].  (Special Note: Currently, Mae, Rosa and Abby are behind the scenes while the sea otter exhibit is undergoing a remodel of the underlying structure.  It will reopen in the spring of 2013 and look virtually the same to the public as it had previously.) 
 

Joy, March 2012

Overall at the Aquarium, the sea otter exhibit is strategically placed “front and center” in the Marine Mammal Gallery just past the Aquarium gift store.  In fact, it figures so prominently, many people are directed to meet there for any interviews they might have with staff members.  In fact, for both “Behind the Scenes” tours I’ve had the privilege to participate in, that’s where I met my contacts.  This time, it was Cecelia Azhderian, who discussed the sea otters and exhibit in detail as well as gave an in depth picture of the pup surrogacy program at the Aquarium. 

 

I should note that this article has taken some time to develop, due to several factors.  In the intervening months since my March 23, 2012, meeting with Cecelia, one of the two otters discussed here has passed away.  The aptly named surrogate mom, Joy, died on August 2, 2012, due to advancing age.  This story is written as but one of many examples of Joy’s instinctually maternal nature, her contributions to the Southern Sea otter population and MBA’s dedication to otter conservation.

 

During this visit, Pup 572 was exclusively on display with his surrogate, Joy.  He was rescued from Cayocos Beach, his mother likely the victim of a shark attack.  The pup himself when examined was found to have a slight laceration on his shoulder, potential evidence of the attack. Joy was taking exceptionally good care of the very healthy pup.  Of course, she had lots of practice as she had successfully raised 15 pups prior to #572.  He will make #16 successfully raised!



Joy and Pup #572 - some snuggle time!

As Joy and #572 swam and relaxed in the pool after their feeding at 1:30 p.m. (there are daily feedings at10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.), I took the opportunity to ask Cecelia about another famous otter from the aquarium –Toola. Toola died in March of this year after a 17-year life where she played a vital role in the surrogacy program –raising 13 stranded pups. She was an exceptionally smart otter and raised the pups well, but on her own balanced and disciplined terms; teaching them behaviors that would be necessary for their survival in the wild. According to Andrew Johnson, manager of MBA’s SORAC (Sea Otter Research and Conservation) Program, “Toola was without question the most important animal in the history of our program. She showed us that exhibit otters could successfully raise orphaned pups for return to the wild.” Cecelia fondly remembered that Toola trained the staff, not the other way around, stating that “Toola was definitely our trainer.”

Joy and Pup 572 began to get more active and the conversation shifted back to them.  According to Cecelia, Joy is an excellent surrogate.  She “knows what her job is and takes to the pups well”.  Likely the most accepting of all the adult otters in the SORAC program at MBA, Joy required very little introduction time when a rescued pup was brought to her.  In contrast, Rosa, another surrogate at MBA, takes a bit longer – approximately one week.  Rosa then becomes extremely protective of the pup once the full-time co-existence begins and has been nicknamed the “helicopter mom” as she hovers over her pups.

Pup #572

 

The personality differences and pup-raising techniques that exist between the surrogate mothers only scratch the surface of the intensity of raising abandoned pups at the aquarium through the SORAC program.  For the staff, it is a 24/7 job!  A myriad of items must be considered and examined for maintaining the health and well-being of each pup.  And each pup has differing metabolisms, dietary tastes, medical issues and survival skill development rates, to name only a few considerations challenging the staff.  Pups must also be groomed constantly, and while this may seem straightforward and simple, it is not.  There is a specific method to grooming so that the fur does not mat, and the method reinforces basic grooming techniques for the otters.  And for many of the youngest pups, this needs to be done as much as 3 hours per day!

 

Pup #572 getting some relaxing swim time

 

The Aquarium and SORAC are well-equipped to raise the pups that come their way – having multiple areas for rescued pups.  In addition to the main pool where Joy and #572 spent that afternoon, there is a holding pool, a SORAC tank, an intensive care unit, a quarantine area with a pool and two tanks at the Hopkins Marine Area, as well as a miscellaneous pool.  The diverse functionality of the pools further demonstrates the complexity of raising abandoned and/or stranded pups.  The process around feeding and ensuring the pups are getting as much nutrition and calories as possible out of food that is not from their mother is also a challenge.  Many staff members are involved in discussions determining the specific food items that should be fed at a specific age and what the specific formulas should be.  Obviously, this is not random guesswork – it is based on many years of experience, education and study – but there are still elements of trial-and-error given each otter’s dietary predilections.  One component of the pups’ diet is Esbilac, a milk replacement.  Specifically, according to Karl Mayer, SORAC’s Animal Care Coordinator, the Esbilac formula used is “1 part Esbilac powder, 1 part surf clam meat, 4 parts H₂O. Esbilac powder is roughly 33% protein, 40% fat. The formula (diluted with water and surf clam meat) yields approximately 9% protein, 7% fat, 2% carbohydrate, 80% moisture… energy content is [approximately] 1,000 kcal/kg.”  
 



MBA staff feed Joy and Pup #572

Pup #572 enjoyed enrichment with pup-safe toys such as Kong dog toys, and is especially fond of having shrimp stuffed into ball toys with a small portion of the shrimp’s tail sticking out to tease and entertain him.  At that time, he was getting more familiar with being touched by humans and needed to grow accustomed to some human interface as he will be transferred to another accredited facility.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated him non-releasable back to the wild. Otters that are going to remain in facilities need to tolerate human touch and interaction in order to facilitate veterinary exams, as well as daily health examinations.         

Pup #572 Feeding

Cecelia shared that #572 ate capelin, Mallotus villosus, a small fish in the smelt family, as if it were candy!  It is somewhat unusual for sea otters to have an affinity for capelin, usually preferring shrimp, mollusks, crab, urchin, etc.; however, their land-based counterparts, river otters, often love capelin.  #572 handled objects well and was preparing his forearm muscles for the eventual cracking of food items, that he was anticipated to learn over the coming weeks. He had begun the motion, but had not yet applied it to the actual cracking of food. Cecelia assured that is expected at his age and, in fact, we were able to witness some of this young otter body-building practice!

Pup #572 has now been transferred to The New York Aquarium. A follow-up feature on him is currently in the works – please keep an eye on www.facebook.com/otternews and the blog here for an update!

 

Consider visiting the aquarium the next time you are in central California. The otters there will never disappoint!  After the sea otter exhibit re-opens in Spring 2013, the feeding and enrichment training sessions are a must. Trainers or aquarium volunteers provide commentary for the public as the otters romp and play with their toys.  During your visit, think about all the work going on behind the scenes to raise pups for re-release or to be transferred to other zoological facilities, inevitably leading to additional otter advocates!   

 

For more information on The Monterey Bay Aquarium, visit www.montereybayaquarium.org; or the SORAC program, visit http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/sorac.aspx.

 

If you would like to read my earlier article for The River Otter Journal on the Monterey Bay Aquarium during their Wild About Otters Exhibit, see Page 6 & 7 of http://www.otternet.com/ROA/Fall2009.pdf.