A sea otter left wounded and blind after being shot in the head is slowly on the road to recovery, but the future of the marine mammal remains unclear.
Three weeks after being taken in by the Vancouver Aquarium’s rescue centre, Martin the adult sea otter is swimming and regaining strength.
“I'm happy with his energy levels, I’m happy with his flexibility and I’m happy how he's grooming,” said Veterinarian Dr. Martin Haulena.
Despite six daily feedings, the 15-year-old is still too thin. In the wild, sea otters need to eat 25 per cent of their body weight each day. Unlike seals, they don't have blubber to keep warm.
Walter was found on a Tofino beach in mid-October. Someone riddled his body with buckshot, leaving him to die a slow, painful death. It is believed Walter was intentionally fired on by a shotgun.
After being transported to Vancouver, Haulena’s team performed emergency surgery, removing one of his hind digits. The otter was severely anemic and was unable to groom himself.
There were at least a dozen buckshots scattered around his head, shoulders and hind-quarters.
Dr. Haulena hopes the sea otter will keep recovering. He will remain under observation until the Department of Fisheries and Oceans decides where the animal will end up.
Because he’s blind, the sea otter may have to stay under the care of the caregivers at the Vancouver Aquarium.
