Audubon Aquarium Welcomes 'Otterly' Adorable New Resident
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans has welcomed its newest resident: a rescued juvenile sea otter from Monterey, Calif.
The Audubon Nature Institute says in a statement that the 18-month-old female sea otter arrived at the aquarium Wednesday evening. She joins the Audubon's current resident, Clara, an 8-year-old sea otter, in the aquarium's 25,000-gallon sea otter habitat.
The otter was found as an abandoned day-old pup in September 2015 by the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation program. After several unsuccessful attempts of releasing her back into the ocean, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials determined she wouldn't survive on her own.
The aquarium is conducting an online poll to name the otter, which can be found on its website. The winning name will be announced March 16 on Audubon's Facebook page and website.
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