Floating around in the water is what sea otters tend to do, but a specific otter spotted floating near the Morro Bay State Park Marina over the past few days caught the attention of local rescuers.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery underweight, it was very lethargic, it was having a tough time remaining buoyant, meaning it really didn\u2019t have the energy,” said Giancarlo Rulli, The Marine Mammal Center Associate Director of Public Relations. <\/p>\n
Rulli said rescuers tried to reach the otter three times, but it was inaccessible. When they tried again for a fourth time on Tuesday, they were just close enough to secure the otter in a net and place it into a carrier crate.<\/p>\n
It is believed that this is an older male sea otter. It is being transported back to The Marine Mammal Center’s main hospital in Sausalito.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll receive a full battery of tests. We\u2019ll take blood samples, we\u2019ll utilize things like radiographs and x-rays, ultrasound, we\u2019ll take fecal samples, urine samples,” Rulli said. <\/p>\n
These tests will help determine if the otter has any underlying conditions that could be causing it distress.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then from there try to put it on a treatment regimen to give it a second chance and release it eventually back into the wild,” Rulli said.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Sea otter pup and mom reunited in Morro Bay<\/p>\n
Sea otter pup and mom reunited in Morro Bay<\/p>\n
He added that if you see a marine mammal that is acting out of the ordinary, call The Marine Mammal Center’s hotline (415) 89-7325 and keep at least 150 feet away from the animal. <\/p>\n