In Morro Bay, California, many marine animals like sea otters, seals and whales can be spotted swimming through the bright blue waters feeding in from the Pacific. Recently, one of these animals — a 2-week-old otter pup named Caterpillar — found himself in a dangerous predicament when he accidentally got separated from his mom and ended up stranded on the beach.
Luckily, a Good Samaritan spotted Caterpillar on the sand and called The Marine Mammal Center’s hotline for help. Soon enough, a team of animal experts were on their way.
The Marine Mammal Center // USFWS permit MA101713-1
With help from Morro Bay Harbor Patrol, rescuers safely contained Caterpillar and secured him inside a carrier crate.
The experts knew they needed to find Caterpillar’s mom as soon as possible. In an interview with AP News, The Marine Mammal Center operations coordinator Shayla Zink maintained that otter pups typically live with their mother for the first nine months of their lives, an important time during which they learn many survival skills.
Rescuers recorded Caterpillar’s cries and vocalizations. They played the recordings from a Bluetooth speaker as they traveled through the bay by boat, keeping their eyes peeled for any sign of Caterpillar’s mom. Eventually, the rescuers spotted a brown speck peeking out from the waves. The worried mother had heard her baby’s cries, and she was here to take him home.
Team members placed Caterpillar back in the water and watched in awe as his grateful mom swam over to greet him. Despite the odds, the wild pair were together again.
The Marine Mammal Center // USFWS permit MA101713-1
The Marine Mammal Center staff are thrilled that Caterpillar’s story ended so beautifully.
“Southern sea otters are a threatened species, and the opportunity to successfully reunify this pup back with its mother is a major boost to the future health of this population and surrounding ecosystems,” Zink said in a press release. “We are so grateful to our wonderful partners at Morro Bay Harbor Patrol for their quick assistance in making this rescue and reunification possible.”
