The otter found floating and severely bloated with fractured ribs and a punctured lung near Tofino, B.C. in August and underwent emergency surgery Monday night has died.
Corky, who was injured on Aug. 13 after being possibly hit by boat, had two veterinary surgeons from Seattle and a veterinary fellow from the Vancouver Aquarium remove his kidney.
“Corky’s case was such an inspiring rescue effort,” said Emily Johnson, manager of the Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre in a statement.
“The surgery was nothing short of amazing, and I thought he just might pull through. He seemed to have that much will. He was a special little guy.”
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Along with removing the damaged organ, the team did a blood transfusion on the male otter. The transfusion, a first of its kind, came courtesy of a previously rescued sea otter named Elfin, who is one of four otters at the Vancouver Aquarium.
Corky’s name was dubiously earned due to his injuries, which led to excess air (emphysema) being trapped under his skin, not allowing the sea otter to dive or forage for food.
After the emphysema dissipated, the vets were able to see one of his kidneys had ruptured, which began causing Corky to pass large amounts of blood.
By Monday, the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre said it was clear he would need surgery and brought the team in.
Following his surgery, Corky was in serious condition and continued to get 24-hour care at the Marine Mammal Rescue centre.
VIDEO: Meet Corky the ‘unsinkable’ sea otter
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