Sea otter pup reunited with mom in heartwarming moment
- 8 years ago
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA — Rescuers helped return a newborn sea otter to her mother on Thursday, in a rare reunion that is as heartwarming as it is adorable.
The two-day old pup was seen floating in California’s Morro Bay after being separated from her mother by strong tides, KTLA reported.
Bystanders called the Marine Mammal Center, a nonprofit group, to report the wayward baby. Volunteers retrieved the female pup, who was alert and suffered no wounds. They then took her out on a boat and presented her to numerous female otters, hoping that one would respond.
Mom turned out to be otter number 7. She returned the pup’s cries with one of her own, and immediately swam toward the boat.
Rescue workers gently tossed the pup into the water. She floated on the surface for a while, since sea otter pups are unable to sink.
Seconds later, her mother popped out of the water and hugged the baby to her belly before both swam away.
It’s fairly common for sea otter pups to be separated from their mothers, but most never see each other again, according to the Marine Mammal Center.
The two-day old pup was seen floating in California’s Morro Bay after being separated from her mother by strong tides, KTLA reported.
Bystanders called the Marine Mammal Center, a nonprofit group, to report the wayward baby. Volunteers retrieved the female pup, who was alert and suffered no wounds. They then took her out on a boat and presented her to numerous female otters, hoping that one would respond.
Mom turned out to be otter number 7. She returned the pup’s cries with one of her own, and immediately swam toward the boat.
Rescue workers gently tossed the pup into the water. She floated on the surface for a while, since sea otter pups are unable to sink.
Seconds later, her mother popped out of the water and hugged the baby to her belly before both swam away.
It’s fairly common for sea otter pups to be separated from their mothers, but most never see each other again, according to the Marine Mammal Center.