Sea Otters Saved from Oil Slick

The zoo is hosting a couple of very lucky new arrivals. Sea otter Sarah and her pup Sonny were rescued from an oil spill last week and brought to the zoo to recover. The zookeeper says that these two Enhydra lutis are well enough for visitors now, so roving rodent reporter Zoey the zoo mouse and photographer Zeek drop by to find out what happened.

Zoey: Hi, Sarah. I’m Zoey and this is Zeek. Are you sure you’re feeling well enough to talk about your recent ordeal?

Sarah: Oh, certainly. I’m quite recovered now. Thank you for asking.

Zoey: And Sonny? How’s the little tyke feeling?

Sarah: He’s much better. See? That’s him diving down below for a snack. But the poor thing was scared out of his wits when we got caught in that oil spill.

Zoey: I’ll bet. Can you tell us what happened?

Sarah: Well, it was a nice, sunny day so Sonny and I were rafting ...

Zeek: What’s rafting?

Zoey: Don’t interrupt her, Zeek! She’s been through trauma.

Sarah: It’s okay. “Rafting” is when we tie ourselves to the kelp so we can rest, eat, or groom ourselves without drifting away on the current—wouldn’t want to fall asleep and drift off to Mexico!

Zeek: I hear that Mexico is nice.

Zoey: (Glaring) Don’t you have some film to load or something? Sarah, please continue.

Sarah: So, we were rafting and I was teaching Sonny to open his sea urchin with a rock. He still has trouble holding things with his little paws, so I was distracted and didn’t really notice the strange smell. We should have fled, but the next thing I knew, we were covered with sticky oil.

Zoey: Oh, no! That’s terrible. How did you escape?

Sarah: Well, if we get oil on our fur we have to find land right away. Otherwise, the cold water can kill us pretty quickly. As soon as I realized the danger we were in, I grabbed my boy and we swam for shore as fast as we could.

Zoey: So, the oil won’t kill you but the water will?

Sarah: Well, the oil is still the problem. See, other marine animals have a layer of blubber to keep them warm, but we sea otters rely on our fur to insulate us against the cold. In fact, sea otter fur is the densest fur known, and when we groom ourselves, little air bubbles get trapped in it. The trapped air is what really keeps us warm. But if we get oil on our fur the air can’t get in.

Zoey: Oh, I see. So that’s why the other sea otters here at the zoo are always grooming their fur.

Zeek: Yeah, yeah. So what did you and Sonny do after you got back to land?

Sarah: Well, there were a lot of people on the beach cleaning off the rocks but we were too exhausted from the cold and swimming through the muck to be afraid of them. I pushed Sonny up the beach a bit to get him out of the waves, and then I collapsed. I think I was in shock. The next thing I knew, Sonny and I were in a warm trailer getting scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed. Then the volunteers brought us here to your lovely zoo.

Zoey: Thank you. We quite enjoy our home here and are certainly glad to share it with you.

Sarah: (As Sonny pops up from the water) There’s my boy!

Zoey: So, Sonny, what did you think when your mom got you to the beach?

Sonny: I thought she’s the bravest, bestest mom ever. And when I grow up, I’m gonna be a strong, brave sea otter just like her!

Zoey: (Laughs) So, Sarah, will you be staying with us permanently?

Sarah: No, I overheard the zookeepers saying that we’ll be released as soon as we’re fit. It’s a nice zoo, but the abalone and sea urchins just aren’t as good as the ones we’re used to.

Zoey: Well, let us know when you’re going to be released so we can have a bon voyage to celebrate your rescue and recovery.

Sarah: That would be lovely.

Zeek: Do you mind if I get a picture?

Sarah: Sure. Come on over here, Sonny.

Sonny: Just a second. I’ve got to groom my fur first.

Zeek: Say abalone!