Think of it as a support group for rescued otters.
After more than a year of rehabilitation and treatment at the Vancouver Aquarium, Walter, the sea otter blinded by a gunshot blast near Tofino in October 2013, has been introduced to another rescued otter named Tanu.
Interacting with another sea otter is the next step in Walter’s long-term recovery and so far, the pair is responding well to one another. Both otters were deemed non-releasable by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and have been getting long-term care at the aquarium.
WATCH: What kind of time does it take to care for a severely injured sea otter like Walter?
Vancouver Aquarium’s head veterinarian Dr. Martin Haulena said they’re happy to see the blind otter socializing, and after a year and a half of providing intensive rehabilitation, Walter and Tanu’s interaction is very gratifying.
It’s been a long haul for Walter, who suffered extensive injuries that resulted in multiple surgeries on shattered bones in his flipper and oral surgery to treat broken teeth caused by the shotgun pellets. Due to the extent of the injuries to his eyes, the veterinary team was unable to save the otter’s eyesight.
Along with Walter and Tanu, there are two other resident sea otters at the Vancouver Aquarium named Elfin and Katmai.
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