Rescued sea otter pups Agnes and Nuka are the newest additions to the Alaska SeaLife Center's I.Sea.U's critical care unit this week.
Agnes, now a healthy 15-pound, 3-month old female, was found stranded as a newborn near Homer in April. Nuka, an 18-pound, 4-month old male, was brought to the center on June 1 after being reported as abandoned on Kodiak Island. The otters were named for local marine landmarks by employees of Seward tour operators Kenai Fjords Tours and Major Marine Tours.
Due to the maternal care required by young otters, pups this age are deemed non-releasable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
SeaLife visitors can watch the activities of the otters and their care-givers through viewing windows near the Discovery Touch Pool.
Video below courtesy of Alaska SeaLife Center
Anchorage Daily News / adn.com