When animals end up in trouble, their chances of survival often depend on the humans who notice their plight.
A tiny two-week-old otter pup found itself in a terrifying situation in Morro Bay, California,
He had somehow drifted away from his mom and washed up on the beach. He felt confused and kept trembling.
Without knowing what to do, the baby otter started calling out for help.
The pup couldn’t reach the water again. The more time it spent alone, the more exhausted and scared it felt.
Luckily, a passer-by heard his cries and knew exactly what to do.
A Stranded Pup In Morro Bay
The Good Samaritan immediately contacted The Marine Mammal Center. Before long, rescuers and the Morro Bay Harbor Patrol arrived at the scene.
They gently collected the frightened pup and placed him in a carrier to keep him safe. When the team learned how young Caterpillar was, the urgency grew.
He would not survive for long without his mom.
Shayla Zink, operations coordinator at The Marine Mammal Center, explained in an interview with AP News that otter pups depend completely on their mothers for many months. During that time, mothers teach their pups how to float and care for themselves.
The rescuers had a great idea. They decided to record Caterpillar’s cries. They hoped his mother was still somewhere in the bay, searching for him.
They played the sound through a Bluetooth speaker as their boat drifted through the bay. Caterpillar’s tiny sounds echoed over the waves.
Then, something moved in the distance.
A brown shape appeared at the surface. It paused as if listening. It was Caterpillar’s mother. She was drawn by the familiar sound of her precious pup.
A Beautiful Reunion
The team lowered Caterpillar into the water. The pup immediately perked up, sensing something familiar.
As soon as his mother saw him, she swam straight toward him.
The pup clung to her, pressing close to her chest. Suddenly, his fear vanished and he felt safe again.
“Southern sea otters are a threatened species, and the opportunity to successfully reunify this pup back with its mother is a major boost to the future health of this population and surrounding ecosystems,” Zink said. “We are so grateful to our wonderful partners at Morro Bay Harbor Patrol for their quick assistance in making this rescue and reunification possible.”
The team stayed nearby for an hour to make sure the mother and pup stayed together. Caterpillar floated in her arms, no longer scared or alone.
He was happy because his ordeal came to an end.
Thanks to the Good Samaritan and the kind rescue team, Caterpillar got a second shot at happiness.