STATEN ISLAND, NY – These eyes will charm you! Two adorable female southern sea otters rescued off the coast of California have made their New York debut and are likely to steal your heart.
Pumpkin and Clover were rescued at a young age, deemed unreleasable, and cared for as puppies by caregivers at other accredited aquariums before arriving at the New York Aquarium.
Now they are settling in at the Sea Cliffs Exhibition, where visitors can also enjoy exhibits featuring sea lions, harbor seals and penguins.
“We are pleased to be able to provide a home for rescued southern sea otters,” said Dr. Leigh Ann Clayton, director of the New York Aquarium at Coney Island in Brooklyn. “These two otters have an amazing story and we are happy to see how well they are settling into their new home.”
Since 1991, the New York Aquarium has sheltered 11 rescued sea otters.
Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis), also known as California sea otters, live on the coast of California.
According to the New York Aquarium, like all wild animals, they play an important role in the ecological health of the environment. As a keystone species in Pacific coastal waters, sea otters play an important role in the ocean ecosystem by eating sea urchins, which helps keep the population in check.
Controlling sea urchin populations helps protect coastal kelp forests from overgrazing. According to the aquarium, kelp forests are a prime habitat for many species, and current scientific research suggests they can store more carbon dioxide than terrestrial forests.
“As part of our commitment to marine wildlife conservation, we are proud that the New York Aquarium has participated in the Southern Sea Otter Rescue and Rehabilitation Program along with other AZA-accredited aquariums,” Clayton said, referring to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Southern sea otters are listed as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and are protected under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and international treaties.
All sea otter rescue and rehabilitation work is conducted under the supervision of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The USFWS estimates that there are 3,000 individuals left in the wild.
The New York Aquarium is open every day of the year. It is part of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which manages the world’s largest network of urban wildlife parks, including the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo and the New York Aquarium.
It is located at 602 Surf Ave. and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
It is open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the fall, winter and spring periods.
For directions, information about events and public programs, and other aquarium information, call 718-265-FISH or visit nyaquarium.com.
“We are pleased to be able to provide a home for rescued southern sea otters,” said Dr. Leigh Ann Clayton, director of the New York Aquarium at Coney Island in Brooklyn. “These two otters have an amazing story and we are happy to see how well they are settling into their new home.” (Courtesy of New York Aquarium)Courtesy of the New York Aquarium
