VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Aquarium says a badly injured sea otter rescued off the coast of Vancouver Island last week is under veterinary care.
The aquarium’s head veterinarian, Dr. Martin Haulena, said they received several reports about a male sea otter in the water near Tofino appearing bloated and unable to dive.
Fisheries staff and members of the aquarium’s rescue centre team netted the otter just south of Vargas Island on Thursday, and transported him to Vancouver.
Haulena said the otter had air trapped in the layer under his skin due to a fractured rib and collapsed lung. He said he believes the otter suffered some kind of blunt-force trauma, possibly from a boat.
Because of the excess air, the otter couldn’t dive or forage and would have starved if left to its own devices, Haulena said.
Staff members have named the otter Corky because of the way it was floating when found.
Haulena said the animal is receiving supportive care, regular meals, and pain management.
Staff are doing everything they can to ensure rehabilitation geared to a release back into local waters, he said.
That decision will be made by the federal Fisheries Department.
