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Wally, blind sea otter, dies in his sleep at Vancouver Aquarium

The blind sea otter, who was a favourite at the Vancouver Aquarium, died in his sleep early Wednesday morning.

The otter was rescued in 2013 near Tofino, B.C. after it was shot multiple times

CBC News ·
Wally relaxes in his pool at the Vancouver Aquarium in this undated photo. The aquarium says the little otter died Dec. 9 in his sleep. (Facebook)

Walter, a blind sea otter who was a favourite at the Vancouver Aquarium, died in his sleep early Wednesday morning. 

Wally, as he was affectionately known, was rescued near Tofino, B.C. in 2013 after he had been shot multiple times in the head and a flipper.

Staff at the aquarium's Marine Mammal Rescue Centre in Vancouver removed several shotgun pellets from Wally's head and body and partially amputated a hind flipper.

The rescued sea otter underwent oral surgery to repair and extract teeth that were damaged by a shotgun blast. (Vancouver Aquarium)

Estimated at 13 to 15 years old when injured, Wally was already an old otter when he was rescued. The aquarium said Wally's death was peaceful. 

The Vancouver Aquarium said in a Facebook post that Wally was deemed non-releasable by Fisheries and Oceans Canada because of his blindness and ongoing health issues.

Since Walter’s arrival at the Vancouver Aquarium, the sea otter has undergone multiple surgeries on shattered bones in one of his flippers.

"For the past two years we have provided a permanent home for him. Wally won the hearts of employees, volunteers and visitors for his easygoing disposition," the aquarium said. 

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