An Alaska SeaLife Center animal care specialist holds a sea otter pup. The female pup was admitted Tuesday, April 9, 2019, after the newborn was found floating alone in Kachemak Bay. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)

An Alaska SeaLife Center animal care specialist holds a sea otter pup. The female pup was admitted Tuesday, April 9, 2019, after the newborn was found floating alone in Kachemak Bay. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)

SeaLife Center rescues newborn sea otter pup

The newborn was floating alone in Kachemak Bay

The Alaska SeaLife Center admitted their first stranded animal of 2019. The female sea otter pup was admitted April 9, according to a press release from the SeaLife Center. The newborn was floating alone in Kachemak Bay before area fisherman alerted the SeaLife Center, a nonprofit organization focused on marine mammal rehabilitation. Homer-based volunteers, with the permission of U.S. Fish and Wildlife, brought the 3-pound newborn pup to the center in Seward.

The release said the staff was surprised to find the otter pup still had its umbilical cord, indicating it was only around a day old. It is not unusual for the center to treat very young sea otter pups, but one that could be a day old or less is rare, the release said.

“About ten percent of the sea otters admitted to the center are younger than a week old, but only a few are about a day old,” Director of Animal Health, Dr. Carrie Goertz said in the release.

The pup is receiving 24-hour care and is being fed every two hours.

An Alaska SeaLife Center animal care specialist feeds a sea otter pup. The female pup was admitted Tuesday, April 9, 2019, after the newborn was found floating alone in Kachemak Bay. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)

An Alaska SeaLife Center animal care specialist feeds a sea otter pup. The female pup was admitted Tuesday, April 9, 2019, after the newborn was found floating alone in Kachemak Bay. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)

An Alaska SeaLife Center animal care specialist feeds a rescued sea otter pup. The female pup was admitted April 9, after the newborn was floating alone in Kachemak Bay. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)

An Alaska SeaLife Center animal care specialist feeds a rescued sea otter pup. The female pup was admitted April 9, after the newborn was floating alone in Kachemak Bay. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)

More in News

Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Swimmers, parents call on Kenai to support Kenai Central pool

The KPBSD Board of Education last week said communities will need to step up and take over administration of pools within the next year.

Traffic passes by South Spruce Street in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai drops effort to rename South Spruce Street

The resolution would have changed the name to make it clear which road led to North Kenai Beach

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy calls special session for August

Lawmakers on Wednesday said they were surprised by the move.

A makeshift coffin decrying the risks of Medicaid funding cuts is seen on Thursday, June 26, in front of the Blazy Mall in Soldotna. The cuts were included in legislation passed by the U.S. Senate early Tuesday morning. (Photo by Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)
Ahead of Senate vote, Soldotna protesters defend Medicaid funding

Cuts to the program were included in legislation passed by the U.S. Senate early Tuesday morning.

Board President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough school board to finalize budget

The new budget designed by the committee will be considered at a public hearing during the full board meeting on Monday evening.

The Russian River Sanctuary Area is seen in the area labeled B in this map provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (courtesy)
Strong sockeye run prompts early open of Russian River Sanctuary

In regulation, the confluence is expected to be open from July 15 to Aug. 20.

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)
Burn suspension lifted for Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak

The public is asked to remain vigilant while burning due to minimal available resources.

Commanding Officer Corey Engel, Rear Adm. Megan Dean, and former ASPEN Commanding Officer Shea Winterberger smile for a photograph during the Change of Command ceremony on Thursday, June 26, 2025, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
USCG ASPEN changes command

Commanding Officer Corey Engel will be in charge of the cutter’s operations and crew.

Volunteers repair the trails at Erik Hansen Scout Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Volunteers revitalize Kenai scout park

Kenai’s Erik Hansen Scout Park overlooks the mouth of the Kenai River in Old Town.

Most Read