Chicago (Oct. 15, 2025) – For six weeks, several members of Shedd Aquarium’s animal care team took turns traveling across the country to lend a hand at Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC). From the hours between midnight and 8 a.m., caretakers from Shedd had only one job: watch and support a three-month-old rescued sea otter pup.
Otter pups require around-the-clock care, so Shedd caretakers spent the overnight shifts preparing formula and dicing up fish, feeding the pup and helping groom his fur. Grooming is an essential skill for sea otters because they have the densest fur of any animal on Earth, which keeps the otters warm in cold ocean waters. Since young otters are dependent on their mothers to learn these essential skills like grooming in the first nine months of life, Shedd caretakers had to step in to help the pup by drying him off with towels and using a comb to separate the hairs of his coat – over one million hairs per square inch – to demonstrate this skill and keep him warm.
ASLC rescued the pup this summer when he was found stranded alone on a beach in Homer, Alaska, unusually far from the water. A community member spotted the pup and called ASLC’s Stranded Marine Animal Hotline. After monitoring the pup for hours with no sign of the mother’s return, the ASLC received authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to admit the orphaned pup for rehabilitative care.
“As the only permanent marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation facility in the state, ASLC plays a critical role in giving sea otters, seals and other Alaskan marine wildlife a second chance,” said Jane Belovarac, ASLC’s Wildlife Response Curator. “We’re grateful for the support of organizations, animal experts and people from across the country who help us protect and care for the diverse marine ecosystem in Alaska.”
Since the pup’s rescue, he has received 24/7 care from animal experts at ASLC and partners from across the U.S., including Shedd Aquarium. The pup has started to reach important milestones, such as holding his breath while underwater, eating solid foods and improving his grooming skills.
“Compared to adult sea otters, there are many nuances to caring for a pup that requires around-the-clock support,” said Maile Ellwitz, animal trainer at Shedd Aquarium. “I’m honored to lend my expertise in sea otter care to help an animal in need and further the mission of both Shedd and ASLC.”
Along with rehabilitating wildlife, Shedd’s animal caretakers also traveled to Alaska in September for the annual “Belugas Count!” event. At this one-day educational event, marine mammal experts, including those from ASLC, Alaska residents and visitors gather along the shores to conduct a census of the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales and learn about threats to their population, which is currently estimated at fewer than 350 whales. Shedd experts spoke with dozens of residents and visitors during the event to raise awareness about the importance of beluga whales, both in Alaska and those that call Shedd home.
“The beluga whales at Shedd are incredible ambassadors for their wild counterparts, including the endangered Cook Inlet population, which helps Chicagoans form a deeper connection with marine mammals thousands of miles away,” said Christy Sterling, supervisor of cetaceans at Shedd Aquarium. “Sharing our knowledge about these animals is the first step to protecting them and their habitats.”
Back on the shore of Lake Michigan, Shedd’s animal caretakers look forward to telling guests about their experiences in Alaska, demonstrating how the support of Shedd guests, members and donors is helping to bolster and protect aquatic animals around the world. Every visit to the aquarium, membership or donation is contributing to Shedd’s mission to spark compassion, curiosity and conservation for the blue planet, whether that involves caring for the animals that call Shedd home, meticulously grooming the fur of a stranded sea otter pup or inspiring a community in Alaska to learn more about their local endangered beluga whales.
BACKGROUND: As a recognized leader in animal care and conservation, Shedd works with partners around the globe to assist in rescue and rehabilitation efforts when aquatic animals are in need. Shedd has answered the call to assist ASLC as needed for other non-releasable marine mammals, such as sea otter Seldovia, who found a home at Shedd after being rescued by ASLC in 2023.