Vancouver Aquarium takes in rescued baby otter

A rescued sea otter that was found stranded in Alaska has taken up permanent residence at the Vancouver Aquarium.

The female pup — which is described as playful and sometimes mischievous — was found in October 2012 at the side of a road in Homer, Alaska. She was only eight weeks old at the time.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service authorized the baby otter’s rescue after efforts to locate her mother were unsuccessful.

A team from the Vancouver Aquarium worked with the Alaska SeaLife Center for more than 2,000 hours in the rehabilitation and critical care of the orphaned pup.

"We've already established a special bond with her and are so pleased to welcome her to her new home at the Aquarium," said Brian Sheehan, curator of marine mammals, in a press release issued by the Vancouver Aquarium.

Aquarium officials say the pup is now seven months old, weighs 15 kg and has adjusted well to her new home.

The aquarium has asked the public to vote on three possible names for the baby otter – Susitna, Katmai and Glacier. Votes can be cast on Twitter @vancouveraqua using #otterlove.

She will soon be introduced to Tanu in the otter habitat in that hope that Tanu will embrace the new otter as a friend and help her adjust to her new surroundings.

Last year, Milo, a 12-year-old sea otter, died from cancer. The Vancouver Aquarium resident became a YouTube sensation after a visitor posted a video of him holding hands with Nyac, a female sea otter, as they floated on their backs at the aquarium.