10th Rescueversary for KUNIK
One of the Vancouver Aquarium’s sea otters, Kunik, celebrated her 10th rescueversary by having a spa day to relax or at least that was the plan before the rest of the otters arrived!
All the sea otters living at the Vancouver Aquarium were rescued as orphaned pups. They have all been deemed non-releasable by Canadian and U.S. government agencies because they were all too young at rescue to have the necessary life skills to survive on their own in the wild.
Watch Kunik’s Rescueversary spa day here.
Northern Sea Otters are the largest species of sea otter, eating about 20-25% of their body weight in food each day, aided by their built-in fanny packs! They have nifty pouches of loose skin under their forearms that they use to store their favourite snacks – and treasured rock collections – while swimming.
More than just cute and fluffy – they’re also superheroes of the sea! Meet the Northern Sea Otter, the keystone species that plays a vital role in protecting the kelp forest ecosystems along the Pacific coast. These adorable creatures have a crucial mission: keeping sea urchin populations in check. Sea urchins are a favourite snack for otters, but without enough otters around, the urchin population can explode and devastate the kelp forests. Thankfully, since the reintroduction of these lovable animals to B.C.’s outer coast, urchin populations have balanced out, allowing the kelp forests to make a triumphant comeback.
The rescued sea otters at the Vancouver Aquarium have gained an enormous online following for their adorable antics and playful personalities. Don’t miss the chance to see them in person at our Sea Otters exhibit or watch them playing, zooming, and grooming on our beloved Otter Cam from the comfort of your own home.