In September 2015, a sea otter pup was found on a beach in Monterey, California. She was found without her mother and so the Monterey Bay Aquarium took her in for their Sea Otter Research and Conservation (SORAC) program. Sea Otter 714 was cared for and the aquarium hoped to release her back in to the wild. However, after several attempts to release her, Sea Otter 714 struggled and was deemed unfit to go back into the ocean. The aquarium then set out to find her a new permanent home.
Recently, on March 8th, Sea Otter 714 was transported in an icy cold crate from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to the Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans. They’ve found that she has adjusted to her new home and is beginning to groom. The Audubon Aquarium plans to put Sea Otter 714 on public display with their other sea otter named Clara.
The aquarium has also allowed people to vote on a new name for the newest addition to their family. The rescued sea otter will either be named Ruby, Pearl, or Charley.