Otter News Archive

Clearwater Marine Aquarium's (CMA) Stranding Team Rescues an Otter Pup

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1st March 2010

Jenni Hatter

Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, Lorain, Ohio, USA

Clearwater, FL - Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s (CMA) stranding team rescued an otter pup Sunday afternoon in Indian Rocks Beach. She was lying in the sun in an open field near a tennis court. CMA volunteer “Sunny” responded to the call, so that’s the name the female pup received. The three-month-old weighs about three pounds and is enjoying getting used to her new environment.

This is the time of year otter pups are spotted trying to make it on their own. You may remember “Oscar,” who was found near a dumpster last year in Largo. If you see any otter pups, please do not approach them and immediately call our stranding line at 727-441-1790 ext. 234. Some people describe them as looking like small brown ferrets from a distance.

Adult female otters have litters of anywhere between one and six. In nature, not all can keep up and some can get left behind or encounter obstacles. Otter moms nurse and assist in the development of vital life skills in their first year of life. Mom will often catch and release pray for the pups to practice their skills. Without mom to protect them, pups are vulnerable to predation and lack life skills related to finding food.

North American river otters are fresh water animals and can be found throughout all of North America in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. They are in the Mustilidae family, which also includes ferrets, skunks, weasels and sea otters. North American river otters are not endangered and due to decreased habitats, are often found in residential neighborhoods or other populated areas.

As part of its free speaker series, CMA will host a presentation on April 15 at 6 p.m. on “All About Otters.” Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a Florida non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, dedicated to marine life rescue, rehabilitation and release, and environmental education. CMA is home to dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, nurse sharks and more. Winter the dolphin’s story of survival and inspiration has touched millions of people around the world. A movie about her life story is in the works with Warner Bros.-based Alcon Entertainment. Her documentary, “Winter: The Dolphin that Could” is available at www.SeeWinter.com. The film takes viewers on an extraordinary journey through her rescue, fight to stay alive and extensive rehabilitation. Scholastic published Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again in October 2009.

To view Clearwater Marine Aquarium's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-93-Clearwater_Marine_Aquarium