Cinder’s second chance: Sea otter pup gets a new lease on life – and a legion of fans – after she was found stranded on rocks in Alaska, as adorable photos show her ‘thriving’ in her new home
An adorable rescued sea otter is winning over hearts in San Diego as she continues to thrive after she was found orphaned and stranded on rocks in her natural home.
Cinder, now seven-weeks, was found washed up near Homer, Alaska by a worried person a fortnight ago, who took her to a nearby veterinarian clinic.
As sea otters are ‘keystone species’ – meaning they play a critical role in their ecosystem and must be protected at all costs – she was flown to San Diego’s SeaWorld to ensure a full recovery.
Meet Cinder: The adorable sea otter was rescued from Alaska when she was five weeks old and has made a remarkable recovery in the past three weeks
Hey cutie: Cinder, pictured, was only five pounds when she was found stranded and orphaned among the rocks in Alaska
Transformation: Under constant care, the sea otter learned how to swim – as well as how to groom and feed herself
According to SeaWorld, sea otters are currently ‘below optimal sustainable population levels’, so it was of the utmost importance that Cinder be nursed back to full health.
After the passerby found Cinder and took her to the vet, who subsequently flew her to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward.
Cinder was deemed ‘non-releasable’ by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, who recommended she be cared for at SeaWorld by their animal rescue team who work around the clock.
Guests at the animal experience center can now see Cinder swim in her nursery pool.
The adorable creature has reached 8.5 pounds, and a spokesperson for SeaWorld said that Cinder is ‘thriving’.
Fluff ball: The critter has found many fans on SeaWorld’s Instagram, who have called her the ‘cutest animal ever’
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Before: When Cinder arrived at the animal experience center in California a few weeks ago, she was only five pounds
Heart breaker: Cinder, pictured at six weeks, before she settled into SeaWorld
She has learned how to swim, groom herself, and has been enjoying bottle feeding.
Soon, she will move onto a diet of small pieces of clams and shrimp.
Ironically, it’s also Sea Otter Awareness Week.
Unbeknownst to many, sea otters play a ‘critical role’ in the nearshore ecosystem.
Sea otters eat urchins that would otherwise prevent kelp forests from forming important habitats for many other animals that share the same dwelling.
When a clip of Cinder was shared to SeaWorld’s Instagram page, she sent animal-loving followers into melt down.
Growing: The cute little animal has gained almost three lbs since being cared for at SeaWorld
This is the life: Cinder reclines in a pool of water as a SeaWorld vet feeds her from a bottle
Growing: Thanks to constant care, Cinder is visibly thriving
Fuzzy: Cinder is one of 841 animals rescued by SeaWorld so far this year
‘Oh my gosh I LOVE HER!!!! BABY,’ said a user.
‘The cutest animal I’ve ever seen,’ said another – while one woman simply stated, ‘I’m obsessed’.
So far in 2019, SeaWorld has come to the aid of 841 ill, injured or stranded marine animals.
This includes 167 California sea lions, 19 northern elephant seals, eight harbor seals, eight fur seals, five dolphins, one sea turtle and 633 marine birds.
SeaWorld San Diego alone has rescued more than 20,000 animals over the last 55 years and SeaWorld parks as a whole have rescued more than 35,000.
According to the World Wildlife Federation, sea otters are one of the smallest marine land mammals on earth – and they can actually live their entire life without leaving the water.
The WWF also reports that sea otters must consume between 25 and 40 per cent of their body weight daily – just to keep warm.
In order to keep full, they eat more than 100 different prey species.