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Rescued sea otter makes debut at Shedd Aquarium

An orphaned sea otter pup made her first public appearance this week at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium.

The otter named Cayucos was found stranded on a beach in California. She was named after the beach where she was rescued.

Staff at Shedd Aquarium nursed her back to health. The 7-month-old sea otter put on 11 pounds since arriving at the aquarium in January and now weighs 26 pounds.

The aquarium's team gave the pup constant care in a behind-the-scenes sea otter nursery. The otter learned how to groom, forage, feed and regulate her own body temperature.

She now has joined other otters in the Abbott Oceanarium.

Shortly after her rescue earlier this year Shedd reported Cayucos was taking formula from a bottle and eating solid food, like shrimp and clams. Shedd officials hoped she would be ready to meet the public this summer.

About 3,000 southern sea otters currently live in the wild. The species is listed as threatened.

Shedd Aquarium rescues baby sea otter

Cayucos swims with other otters as she makes her first public appearance at the aquarium’s Abbott Oceanarium. Associated Press
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