CELEBRATE SEA OTTER AWARENESS WEEK AT THE VANCOUVER AQUARIUM VANCOUVER, B.C. – What’s brown, furry and fun all over? That would be sea otters, the playful marine mammals that are known for their unique dining habits and photo-worthy faces. From September 19 – 27 the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre will be highlighting these curious critters as part of Sea Otter Awareness Week. Front and centre will be the Vancouver Aquarium’s four sea otters—Elfin, Katmai, Tanu and Wally—that each have their own incredible rescue stories.
Throughout the week guests will have an opportunity to learn more about these creatures through trainer-led sea otter enrichment sessions and family programming. Crafts will also be offered on weekends. At the Life in a Kelp Forest show, visitors will gain an understanding of kelp forests and the sea otter’s role in maintaining the health of these important ecosystems. During the Spotlight on Sea Otters program at the sea otters’ habitat visitors will learn about the training and enrichment that the four rescued sea otters at Vancouver Aquarium receive.
For photo enthusiasts, the Aquarium has set up a #seaotterselfie spot, located in a prime place to snap a photo with sea otters in the background. As you watch them in their habitat, it’ll become clear that sea otters spend their day doing three main activities: eating, sleeping and grooming. Other interesting sea otter facts:
• A healthy sea otter’s skin never gets wet because their fur is so dense.
• Predators include killer whales, sharks, and sea lions; bald eagles prey on sea otter pups.
• They are one of the few tool-using mammals and use rocks to break open their food.
Be sure to share your sea otter love online during a live Twitter chat on Wednesday, September 23 at 11 a.m. PT. Followers can join @vanaqua for a special Q&A with a sea otter expert.
In addition to Vancouver Aquarium, there are several organizations participating in Sea Otter Awareness Week, an annual recognition of the vital role that sea otters play in the nearshore ecosystem.
Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is a non-profit society dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life. www.vanaqua.org.
