Toola The Otter Passes Away at Monterey Bay Aquarium

Toola the Otter may not have the fame of Shamu, the prognosticating powers of Punxsatawney Phill, or the acting talent of Uggie the dog, but the California Sea Otter did have a huge impact legislation regarding the sea otter species. Sadly, Toola passed away today at the Monterey Bay Aquarium at the age of 15.

Dr. Mike Murray, an aquarium veterinarian, said:

“I will argue that there is no other single sea otter that had a greater impact upon the sea otter species, the sea otter programs worldwide, and upon the interface between the sea otters’ scientific community and the public.”

NPR reports that Toola the Otter was the first captive otter to serve as a surrogate mother. When researchers discovered that a sea otter could act as a surrogate to injured or abandoned otters, it changed the way they treated animals and allowed them to reintroduce more captive otters into the wild. Toola the Otter also inspired legislation that created the California Sea Otter Fund.

Toola the Otter was found close to a decade ago in California. The pregnant and sick otter was brought to the Monterey Bay Aquarium where it gave birth to two pups. The aquarium had another baby sea otter which Toola immediately took in as her own.

The Chronicle reported at the time:

“Toola didn’t hesitate. She nursed the orphaned pup like he was her own, taught him to open clamshells with rocks, how to eat a crab without getting pinched, and other tricks of sea otter life. That pup, raised by Toola instead of humans, was able to return to the Pacific, where he’s now king of a pack at Elkhorn Slough and has fathered countless pups himself.”

Toola enabled several otters to return to the wild. Toola, however, never returned to the wild due to a condition that required her to take medication daily.

Andrew Johnson, manager of the Aquarium’s Sea Otter Research and Conservation program, said in a statement:

“Toola was without question the most important animal in the history of our program. She showed us that captive otters could successfully raise orphaned pups for return to the wild. She inspired a critical piece of legislation that is helping protect sea otters. And she inspired millions of visitors to care more about sea otters. We will miss her.”