Photo: Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium just shared a video of two recused sea otters rafting for their Sea Otter Awareness week and it is extremely sweet.
Not only are the cuddly pair cute on their own, but the adorable duo seem attached at the paw. They are actually holding on to one another as they gently careen around the water. What's more, their cute little flippers are raised out of the water, and they look like they have toes!
If that isn't charming enough, their little heads look golden and perfectly dry, while their bodies are slick from the water.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fegFpwP3c28]
According to the aquarium, rafting or "holding paws" is a natural otter behaviour. They raft to stay together while resting or during inclement weather as a way to protect themselves, as there’s safety in numbers.
Tanu and Katmai are the two eldest sea otters on site, but the aquarium is also home to Mak, Kunik, Rialto and Hardy.
The awareness week beings on Saturday, September 22nd, and runs to Sunday, September 30th. You can stop by to learn more about sea otters, the challenges they face in the wild, and how we can all help protect these endearing and essential animals.
In addition, the aquarium welcomes you to:
· Watch daily sea otter feeds and enrichment sessions at the sea otter habitat throughout the day.
· Enjoy the sea otter puppet show — fun for the young and the young-at-heart — at 10:45 a.m. daily in the Teck Engagement Gallery.
· Learn about the role sea otters play in coastal ecosystems at the Life in the Kelp Forest program at 12:30 p.m. daily at the Strait of Georgia exhibit.
· Meet Vancouver Aquarium mascot Ollie the Sea Otter from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
· Get up close with the six rescued sea otters during a sea otter encounter. (Animal encounters are limited and must be booked in advance.)
Tickets can be purchased onsite or online here.
