Kit Goes To College

Monterey Bay Aquarium presents its story of Kit, a sea otter rescued by the aquarium and taught to be able to live back in the sea.

These are a few excerpts and videos from the story of Kit, a rescued sea otter at Monterey Bay Aquarium. In her journey from orphaned pup to surrogate mom she goes to Otter U and learns what being an otter is all about.

Kit the Sea Otter Pup: Bottle Feeding

An infant sea otter pup requires round-the-clock feeding and care. Watch as our Sea Otter Research and Conservation staff bottle-feed Kit, a rescued sea otter at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

 

Kit the Sea Otter Pup: Clam Shells are Fun

Eating a clam is an essential otter skill. Watch as Kit, a rescued sea otter at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, goes to "Otter U" and gets a gift from our Sea Otter Research and Conservation staff.

Kit the Sea Otter Pup: Sampling Shrimp

Watch as Kit, a rescued sea otter at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, goes to "Otter U" and learns the joys of eating fresh shrimp, given to her by our Sea Otter Research and Conservation staff.

Watch as Kit, a rescued sea otter at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, goes to "Otter U" and learns the joys of eating fresh shrimp, given to her by our Sea Otter Research and Conservation staff.

 

Conquering the Crab

Eating a clam is an essential otter skill. Watch as Kit, a rescued sea otter at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, goes to "Otter U" and gets a gift from our Sea Otter Research and Conservation staff.

 

Kit the Sea Otter Pup: A Good Day for Grooming

Grooming is an essential otter skill, helping maintain their insulating coats in the cold waters of the bay. Watch as Kit, a rescued sea otter at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, goes to "Otter U" and learns how to care for her coat from her companion,12-year-old Mae.

 

Kit the Sea Otter Pup: Investigating Ice

Exhibit sea otters received a many "enrichment" items to keep them happy and stimulated. Watch as Kit, a rescued sea otter at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, goes to "Otter U" and learns the joys of icy treats with her companion,12-year-old Mae.

Kit the Sea Otter Pup at Play with Her Companion, Mae

Kit, the youngest otter ever to go on exhibit at the Aquarium, loves to play with her nine-year-old companion, Mae. Along with the fun and games, she's learning some important skills, like grooming and how to eat live prey.

 

Sea Otter Mom and Pup

A sea otter reared behind the scenes in the Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation program cares for her pup. As of April 2010, five pups had been born to surrogate-reared otters.

Visit the MontereyBayAquarium to learn more about Kit and her friends available at http://www.montereybayaquarium.com/otteru/

This feature is presented courtesy of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

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Toola, a sea otter at Monterey Bay Aquarium.
©Monterey Bay Aquarium/Randy Wilder

Toola "Most Important Animal" in History of Monterey Bay Aquarium

Sea Otter Program Dies

Toola was the first rescued sea otter ever serve as a surrogate mother for stranded pups, to raise pups that were successfully returned to the wild. She was the inspiration for California state legislation that better protects sea otters. She raised 13 pups over the years. Her most famous pup is the subject of a new feature film, Otter 501.

Toola, who was rescued as a mature adult of about 5 years of age, was about 15 or 16 years old when she died on March 3, 2012 in the aquarium’s veterinary care center of natural causes and infirmities of age. She was found stranded on Pismo Beach on July 21, 2001. She suffered from neurological disorders, likely caused by infection of her brain by the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Her seizure disorder required twice-daily anticonvulsant medication and prevented her release back into the wild.

Charismatic sea otters are a visitor favorite at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
© Monterey Bay Aquarium/Randy Wilder

The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Research and Conservation program has been studying and trying to save the threatened southern sea otter since 1984.

This news, blog and photographs are courtesy of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Blog, 3 March 2012 You can respond to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Blog about Toola