Rialto, the World’s Cutest Sea Otter, is the Star of a New Book! | Rialto Paw-ty: April 13 at 11 a.m. at Vancouver Aquarium

Join us for a Rialto Paw-ty and the Vancouver launch of Rescuing Rialto featuring book author Lynda Mapes and photographer Alan Berner!

Saturday, April 13 at the Vancouver Aquarium

Otter lovers will never forget the day in August 2016 when a tiny sea otter pup was discovered washed up alone on remote Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park in Washington State.

Named Rialto for the location of his rescue, the story of his rehabilitation at the Seattle Aquarium captured hearts and minds around the world. And as Rialto transformed from sickly to spirited, and moved North to his forever home at the Vancouver Aquarium, reporter Lynda Mapes and photographer Alan Berner from the Seattle Times were there to document his journey. Through their captivating storytelling, the fuzzy-faced otter quickly won hearts and was dubbed the “world’s cutest sea otter.” Fast forward to present day and Rialto is thriving. He spends his days eating, sleeping, and frolicking with fellow rescued sea otters Tanu, Katmai, Kunik, Mak and Hardy at the Vancouver Aquarium.

Rescuing Rialto, authored by Mapes and photographed by Berner, hits shelves next month. It documents Rialto’s epic road to recovery, connecting readers to undeniably charismatic sea otters and empowering them to help conserve this essential species. While the book is written for young readers (ages 6 to 9 years), the 40-page book is sure to delight all ages. Get ready to fall in love with Rialto again (or for the very first time).

The Vancouver Aquarium invites visitors to join us for a Rialto Paw-ty – the Vancouver launch of Rescuing Rialto – on the morning of Saturday, April 13. Special activities include:

–          A book reading and signing with Lynda Mapes and Alan Berner at 11 a.m. Visitors can also have their book ‘signed’ by Rialto with a stamp made from his paw print.

–          A special sea otter play session at 11:45 a.m.

–          Sea otter programs at 10:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

–          A visit from Ollie the Sea Otter mascot.

April 13 is a Super Saturday, a monthly event allowing the Vancouver Aquarium members early access to our galleries. This Super Saturday, members will enjoy an exclusive book reading and signing with Mapes and Berner at 9 a.m. followed by a special sea otter play session for Rialto and the other rescued sea otters at 9:45 a.m.

Rialto lovers can support his ongoing care as well as the Vancouver Aquarium’s conservation and education efforts by making a donation, symbolically adopting Rialto by purchasing an Aquadopt Kit, or buying an urchin for an otter.

The Vancouver Aquarium is open for visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Purchase tickets and plan your visit here: vanaqua.org/visit

Media release and image provided by April Penney, Ocean.org. Feature image courtesy of Vancouver Aquarium.

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