Four of 10 rescued sea otters currently living at the Vancouver Aquarium are moving to Quebec.
The move is intended to support the opening of the new Aquarium du Québec sea otter habitat.
As well, the Vancouver Aquarium says it will make room for future rescued sea otters.
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“The Vancouver Aquarium is currently the only aquarium in Canada with a sea otter habitat, but with the Aquarium du Québec now welcoming these animals, that circle of care is growing,” it said.
“This expanded capacity means more rescued, non-releasable otters can receive the specialized support they need.”
Several of the aquarium’s sea otters were rescued as orphaned pups. This means they were deemed non-releasable because they would be unable to develop the survival skills needed to live in the wild.
“Our aquarium’s otter habitat provides a safe and enriching home, but it also has limits,” said Vancouver Aquarium animal care director Mackenzie Neale.
“This transfer creates much-needed space for when the next otter needs our help.”
Guests interested in saying goodbye to the four sea otters — named Hardy, Mak, Quatse, and Taz — are invited to visit the aquarium before they pack up and move east on May 31.