Shedd's new otter
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Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Although she won't be in a public exhibit for a few more months,
10-week-old southern sea otter pup Cuyucos has already won
Chicago's hearts. Cuyucos is the latest addition to the sea otter
family at Shedd Aquarium, where she was brought after being rescued
off the California coastline she has been named after. Wildlife
rescuers found Cuyucos abandoned and calling for her mother in
mid-December and she has been at Shedd since early January. A
member of the California sea otter population, Cuyucos is a
threatened species, with fewer than 3,000 of her kind left.
Cayucos is currently under a 30-day quarantine but will soon be
introduced to the five Alaskan otters at Shedd, beginning with the
females. Until then, she is getting plenty of attention from over a
dozen Shedd staffers, who make sure she is cared for around the
clock.
Lana Vanagasem, Senior Trainor at Shedd, said the otter pup has
many of the same needs as a human baby. Cuyucos has seven feedings
a day, with a diet of formula, clam, shrimp, squid and
pollock.
In between feeds, she loves to play both in and out of the water
and naps throughout the day. With the help of staffers, she is
learning how to groom herself and dive for food.
And although she is young, Cuyucos has already begun some basic
training exercises.
Look for Cayucos this summer in the sea otter exhibit at Shedd
Aquarium.
Alaina is the digital content editor at Chicago Parent. She lives in Chicago.
See more of Alaina's stories here.
Contact Alaina at alaina@chicagoparent.com
