Saving Otter 501

Sea otters cannot even swim on their own when they are born. In the wild, a mother otter takes her pup everywhere to protect and educate her baby. 

Today is the day 501 will be introduced to Toola, surrogate mother otter. Can they accept each other so 501 learns everything she will need to know in order to be released back out in the wild?

Even if 501 aces all of her otter lessons, there are a plenty of challenges she may face in the wild including shark attacks.

Toola has taught 501 how to be an otter, and now it is time for them to be separated, forever. The aquarium team decides to release 501 back in the wild.

This is the story of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's 501st attempt to save an orphan otter. From her discovery as a stranded newborn pup crying on the beach through her rehabilitation in secret roof tanks atop the Aquarium, NATURE follows as Otter 501 learns how to dive, hunt, eat, and fend for herself in the wild, where survival is a long shot at best.