Otter 501 being released
Otter 501 being released back into the wild by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Animal Care Coordinator for their Sea Otter Research and Conservation (SORAC) program, Karl Mayer and an assistant. Photo credit: ©Sea Studios Foundation
Otter 501 and her surrogate mom, Toola
Otter 501 and her surrogate mom, Toola, at play in the tank 501 was raised in. Photo Credit: ©Sea Studios Foundation
Otter 501 is ready to be groomed
Otter 501 is ready to be groomed by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Animal Care Coordinator for their Sea Otter Research and Conservation (SORAC) program, Karl Mayer. Karl is wearing the "Darth Vader" dusguise used to isolate the human form from the otters that will be released by into the wild. Photo Credit: ©Sea Studios Foundation
Otter 501 gets a first taste of solid food
Otter 501 gets a first taste of solid food — raw clams fed by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Animal Care Coordinator for their Sea Otter Research and Conservation (SORAC) program, Karl Mayer. Photo credit: ©Sea Studios Foundation
A Southern Sea Otter mom grooms her pup
A Southern Sea Otter mom grooms her pup in Monterey Bay, California. Photo credit: ©Jim Capwell
Female southern sea otter pup
Female southern sea otter pup (Enhydra lutris nereis) 502. Photo credit: Randy Wilder/©Monterey Bay Aquarium
A stranded southern sea otter pup
A stranded southern sea otter pup is being assesed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Karl Mayer. This pup was brought in for further assesment and possible rehabilitation and release back into the wild. Photo credit: ©Sea Studios Foundation
Otter 501 being bottle fed
Otter 501 being bottle fed a special "otter milk" formula at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Photo credit: ©Sea Studios Foundation
Otter 501 being being carefully groomed
Otter 501 being being carefully groomed as part of her 8 month long journey to being re-released back into the wild. Photo credit: ©Sea Studios Foundation
