The Minnesota Zoo is welcoming two orphaned sea otter pups from Alaska.
Director of Animal Care Kurt Heizmann says five-month old Denali and two-month old Nuka were separated from their mothers shortly before being rescued.
The first one found was Denali.
"She was found when she was about three months old," Heizmann says. "When she was found without a mom, she was found a couple of miles up a river."
Nuka was found at just one day old and in very precarious circumstances that just happened to be seen by a charter.
"Her mom was actually preyed upon by an orca which left her orphan," says Heizmann. "What's interesting about her story is that it was actually witnessed by a member of the Alaska Sea Life Center. They were on a fishing charter, actually witnessed and filmed the entire event happening."
Heizmann says the pair came to The Minnesota Zoo because of their world class otter care.
"So, the Minnesota Zoo has a long history caring for sea otters," explains Heizmann. "We've had otters at our zoo for over 15 years and we have three resident male Northern Sea Otters, currently."
Denali and Nuka are expected to join the other resident otters and make their public debut in early 2024.