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 Otter
Care |
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A threatened species, southern sea otters are often some
of The Center's most critical patients. Otters may be housed
initially in the intensive care unit, with round-the-clock treatment
care by veterinary staff and volunteers specially trained in
otter care procedures. Less critical animals are housed in specially-designed
"otter totes." These totes include a haulout platform
that allows the animal to haul out of the water and a salt-water
pool that volunteers and staff can cover depending on the health
of the animal. Unlike seals and sea lions, otters require salt
water in order to maintain the integrity of their fur; therefore
their pools are kept salinated.
Once an otter begins to recover, it is housed in a larger salt-water
pool with a haulout platform. Due to the tendency of otters
to become highly stressed, they are always kept toward the back
of the hospital with limited human contact. After an otter has
been stabilized, we will sometimes transfer them to the Monterey
Bay Aquarium, which has a long-term otter rehabilitation program. |
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