Sea Otter Orphan Gets Adopted

Can an orphan sea otter pup be accepted by a surrogate mother to learn how to survive and thrive back in the wild? Watch full episode: www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episod... "Saving Otter 501" aired Oct. 16, 2013 on PBS.

[@naturepbs]

Watch more adorable otter clips: to.pbs.org/2uNn9Mt

[@leaflet7738]

O̶k̶

[@josiahk.2048]

@Rache; Meatte they have reasons u piece of shit! Fuck u!

[@kuuawhalebahari9619]

@Rache; Meatte the otter was a orphan.

[@Mattle_lutra]

Question: What's with the creepy cult suits? Nearly all animals are afraid of large, black peices of cloth and even if it serves to "disconnect the keeper" it honestly seems so against it's purpose of rehabilitating these animals, even if the animals are to be released into the wild.

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

Can the surrogate MOM nurse the baby?? Thanks for helping them all, esp this little orphan.

[@valkyrieordonez8955]

"Who's child is this?" "It's my child, now."

[@inarimusa]

LOL

[@GPrinceps]

*Whose :)

[@kevinvanharen1740]

Trihard

[@kayda8689]

"Have you seen your dog?" "I love him, hes mine now."

[@minecraftgod5487]

Well that is true otter likely to adopt an ophan cub if their parents die or abandoned them

[@abigailpalmer2486]

The keepers actually have to wear those masks and cloaks so that the Otters don’t recognize them and won’t get attached. Otter pups can actually get separation anxiety from being separated from a keeper that they are used to.

[@x_jun_x]

Abigail Palmer - OH :( i thought this was for protection. this is way sadder lmaooo

[@Cosmiichu]

Oh fuck 😭

[@VideoCesar07]

Yep. Also, on the flipside that's why they gave the pup a number and not a name so the keepers did not develop any attachment either so their focus remains on helping the pup survive. It's hard when you have such a cute and very social animal like that. They are not pets though, and it's sad that each time people see some new animal, like those tiny lemurs that became all popular several years ago, they rush out to get one without realizing it's just fueling the poaching and habitat destruction of those animals.

[@cherrydarling1329]

@@VideoCesar07 thank you I wondered this! Makes a whole lot of sense now but my God they are absolutely adorable! It's hard not to get attached I bet

[@TWE_2000]

So what you're saying is that if I want to attract sea otters I need to dress up like Darth Vader. My time has come.

[@mariedaparellio5686]

Day 1 Tula: Hi kid, I’m your new- 501: Stranger danger!! Tula: Alright, damn...

[@1Immanuel6]

Marieda Parellio 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@hassnapapyb1365]

😂

[@Taco_The_Dog]

I'm your new stranger danger

[@bulbasour3]

Lol

[@torealreality4207]

KZbin: Sea Otter Gets Adopted Me: *cries for six hours*

[@Hithere-ek4qt]

6 hours? You rally have a problem mate.

[@mahdi3174]

Soft Americans

[@richagupta7591]

Good on you to have so much empathy , we need more empathy in this world 👍

[@mahdi3174]

Richa Gupta so much emphaty 😂 do you even know what it means??

[@Muse0116]

❤🤣

[@011KiKi]

My heart fucking melted when I first saw them hugging and swimming.

[@taewithsomesuga9186]

011KiKi IM DYING TOO 😍😭

[@jimothyj2638]

Same

[@jimothyj2638]

trololol trololol dude chill😂😂

[@kaylahw6916]

trololol trololol is everything okay at home?

[@ugookoli1084]

what to fuck me i am rich

[@falseprophet1415]

You know it's damn special when that would-be mother otter WANTS that pup and raise it as her own. Didn't birth it, didn't know it, but still wants to love it. That's special.

[@CM-bt7gi]

💙

[@Kretek]

@DeadLittlePunkDoll hurr durr, humans bad

[@McShlisy]

Its called adoption. Believe it or not humans do it too lol.

[@amy3458]

McShlisy Exactly! There are SO MANY couples wanting to adopt and love other people’s children! Make abortion seem almost evil, huh? Wonder why it’s pushed so hard.

[@googleuser7454]

@@amy3458 if there are so many people looking to adopt, there would not be so many kids aging out of foster care. Especially in cultures where bloodline is still held important. Abortion is not evil

[@bridge4]

Tula deserves a pay raise

[@goddesssalem4842]

Ain't you that clueless Game of thrones youTuber, I remember you.

[@shogunguy]

Tula deserves freedom

[@chels1542]

@@shogunguy Tula is helping ... and probably CAN’T be released after so long in captivity you doofus

[@shogunguy]

@@chels1542 why would tula be training orphaned otters for rerelease if she cant be released herself? You’re so gullible, these “sanctuaries” profit off these animals in order to pay their staff and fund their facility. Of course they won’t release their source of profit. Are you really that ignorant? How do you think they obtained her in the first place? She was wild until they captured her, I know they would never release such an asset, but captivity is fucking disgusting, you probably love going to seaworld, and you believe the staff when they tell you the orcas are happy. Ignorance must be bliss.

[@IMFERMO.]

lmao, tula means something else in some places haha

[@Mictlantecuhtli]

Toula is just a smart girl knowing that everybody needs some space at first.

[@akschmidt2085]

That's what I thought. She was showing she respected the space and wasn't going to be violent until the pup started to trust she was ok. Smart otter. Adorable

[@hootypatootie]

How can otters be so freakin' cute?!

[@angelhaughton9143]

hootypatootie ikr my heart 😫😫❤️

[@jsm530]

@@castkeyboard cool. Otters are smart and tough.

[@41052]

Irishman and they still rape. What’s your point

[@41052]

Autumn D I’m pretty sure he knew that already. After all, Dolphins are the rapist of the sea

[@41052]

Martin Ramirez yeah

[@Kangsoyun]

I would think that the surrogate mother would go through some sort of anxiety upon separation after separation from all the different pups that she took care of and raised. But in the end, this is such a sweet story, and thank goodness she took 501 in.

[@virginiataylor5593]

I agree! Of course she is hesitant. She bonds and then they take the babies away.

[@Viviesp1234]

Sondra Anderson I know it makes me so sad 😔 she takes them in and then they separate them.

[@kilogone8781]

Not really,sea otter moms always let go their pup when they think they're already old enough to challenge the wild.And Monterey Bay Aquarist surely won't let go any unready pup back to the wild

[@QueenofTaterTots]

they live in family groups though Kilo, so some of the babies usually stay with mom

[@eps3154]

I was wondering about that, too. Why can't Toula go out in the wild with her pups?? :(

[@strebbie8023]

"She is ready" *holds onto the travel cage for dear life*

[@nayemalaboni8318]

Lol just went back to check and realized it

[@cordeliah1992]

😂😂😂

[@kiarak.3764]

did you know sea otters hold paws in their sleep so they dont drift apart😭😭😭🥺💚😣💞💓

[@SG-qb9wo]

💚 cuuute!

[@InvalidPersistentName]

Yep!

[@wolfiegamerhowls4]

StudioGAYA there’s a video of one trying to get a person to pet them by putting their paws like their petting someone

[@K.Spade7902]

That's adorable!

[@obsidiansea]

@@wolfiegamerhowls4 How cute! That sounds like that video of the ring-tailed lemur that wanted the little kid to keep petting it and would point at its back every time the kid stopped petting it.

[@ErikaMayX]

Isn't the nature of that "mother" otter accepting that baby just a beautiful thing?

[@Renville80]

pp are you blind? That was an otter. Beavers don’t swim on their backs.

[@anamoljgaikwad7325]

Always has been..

[@ShallowDepression]

Why would you downvote this vid? I simply don't get it.

[@klijnsmitguitars2979]

+ShallowDepression If you are full of anger and mean, you will not like nice fluffy things.

[@ShallowDepression]

Dutch Luthier I feel sad for them.

[@grytlappar]

+ShallowDepression - Don't; they're psychopaths.

[@CrittersJitters]

+Just Ellen I take offense to that, Dragonball Z is an anime.

[@ShallowDepression]

ECL28E So that is why someone would downvote this video, because they're getting really vicious in this clip.

[@amaz3624]

I'm watching this, wanting to cry... Then I realize that my adopted daughter and I went through the same transition phase. Full blown crying now 😭😭😭

[@Onigirli]

A-are you otters too?

[@abbikinghorn991]

@@Onigirli thank you for making me laugh... 🤣

[@madhusarika8699]

@@Onigirli What would your reaction be if they said, "Yes! I'm a otter! How did you know?"

[@Ok-hy4xx]

@@madhusarika8699 haha i realized your comment was 2 years ago, don't worry everything has it own phase

[@Anonymous-vu8qq]

When your daughter keeps hiding in the kelp

[@ATK1734]

Day 1: WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT?! HALP, HOOMANS!! Day 3: I got my eye on you sister, so keep your distance... Day 5: Hold me tight mommy and don't ever let go

[@beckyanderson8331]

So true

[@eastercat]

Can we agree that da real MVP was Toola? Willing to adopt and care for 501.

[@lukysugiarto8263]

let me luv you little buddy

[@thatboyjay9760]

you can love me :3

[@TheKeaneGardener]

I will:) I'll give you a straight up hug!

[@paulaleo1287]

@@thatboyjay9760 creep

[@JSpyx]

Gosh...When she has the pup on her belly and she's just gently flapping her feet through the water, like a little mother boat. This is so amazing and heartwarming

[@alberte8796]

manliness slipping away must....punch.....someone

[@michaelcoulter1114]

Albert E Wrestling with wild bears is better, trust me 😂

[@fiddlesingmusik]

Spew alert... too funny. I bet you are a hopeless softee. :D

[@d.snutts7791]

😂

[@d.snutts7791]

Too.......late...........noOOoo 💁🏾‍♂️

[@Teekoness]

If you wrestle a bear, you get to be manly for the rest of your life.

[@BVargas78]

They are intelligent, emotional beings.

[@magicsquid3020]

Don't worry they are also cursed little monsters who aren't as sweet as you think

[@Blubberbooi]

"She is ready" *Vigorously shakes her out of the cage* Me too bb sea otter, me too.

[@FionaLovesbunnies]

"we are ready, she is ready" cut to clip of pup clinging to cage

[@jamie150741]

Accident alliteration

[@MeganEmanuelaFox]

"It's hard to tell if Toula is playing it cool or is just not interested" That's my love life in a sentence :))

[@roseannarios7312]

For those of you who think this clip is amazing, even if you think it's just ok, you have to see the full episode of Saving Otter 501. It's a must see. I loved it so much I saved it on my DVR from 7 years ago. There's cuteness overload of course, you'll be taken on a rollercoaster of emotions (keep tissues handy) and you'll be overjoyed seeing this helpless orphaned pup grow up to be a major success, not to mention his foster mom who is a major rockstar in her own right. There are so many things that have to go right in order for these pups to survive. Many thanks to the people at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (my fave!) for working tirelessly to save these precious animals. Thanks PBS for bringing this to us!

[@curiouslyme524]

Awe, seeing Tula swimming around the pool with the baby nestled happily & contentedly on her tummy, I cried. God's blessings to Tula & baby!!!

[@Microphonecheckher]

She’s done this eleven times. ♥️

[@hanngez]

"Sea otter orphan gets adopted" *everyone liked that*

[@AM--io6us]

who choppin these damn onions

[@bitsecosystem]

Abbey Metheny damn crude

[@arete4390]

Shut up im making soup

[@shrek995]

Sorry

[@irimac1806]

PBS! And they're not even sorry

[@subarusakamaki8076]

@PAVAN KUMAR Let them make soup, I'll make you a sandwich. Do you want onions in it?

[@xixax85]

Am I the only one who teared up when when the pup accepted the surrogate mother? Loved it!

[@maianhvu8212]

Seeing her swimming and chilling calmed my nerves and seeing them together melted my hear. So sweet wonderful creatures.

[@username8957]

When they swam together I cried. How tf can they be so cute

[@katywinchester2459]

tulla, the og surrogate mother

[@lilacosmanthus]

my gosh, these guys are buoyant

[@grytlappar]

+Indigo Osmanthus - Animal fact: Sea otters have the densest fur of all animals on the planet - up to 1 million hairs per sqare inch! It traps air and keeps them warm, so they don't need (and don't have) blubber like other sea animals. I love this: before the mom swims away to hunt for food, she spends a long time fluffing up her baby's fur; this makes the pup "unsinkable". Unsinkable... Haha. Buoyant indeed!

[@lilacosmanthus]

grytlappar yeah... unfortunately, having the densest fur almost means an being an attractive consumer item for humans. Many of these guys were clubbed and skinned to death in the north. There are museums in Alaska that showcase this.

[@boppob1343]

@@lilacosmanthus luckily sea otter fur is pretty much non sold now :D

[@mixedgirlgoddess7935]

Oh man...heartwarming when Tula mimicked the baby and got in the fake kelp to help the baby feel more comfortable What a woman 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙🌎💯💋

[@LonelyPandora]

1:15 "playing it cool or just not interested" Watch the way that Tula is constantly rolling on her back, offering her tummy for 501 to lie on her. More like she's trying to offer a save a warm place for 501 to rest on.

[@CookiehsAndDreams]

"Aight, you're mine now" "cool"

[@imribbit8850]

Otters are one of the most wholesome animals. They hold hands when they sleep, -and now they adopt baby otters that aren’t theirs. Holy shit.

[@vickysikora3394]

Brought tears to my eyes! Such a beautiful bond between them!

[@GoodKarma11]

I’m so glad to hear they release the pups after they get old enough ❤️

[@touyatodoroki7935]

hella hella late but they couldn't possibly keep every sea otter they've saved. idk if you've ever been to the bay aquarium but it's actually very small. they can keep a max of, idk, 4? i usually see 2

[@wirinaholstein4076]

And it was the absolute most amazing feeling to watch the baby in the end, being held close and laying on the new adopting mom otter. So so so blissful and in every way touching to watch. If I understood otter facial expressions, and could see the baby's face, i'd claim it looked so happy to get a real mom for however long its childhood will last.

[@tarashaw3077]

Oh wow that was adorable!! What a good momma surrogate!!

[@lecheman01]

Mothers are vital in their children’s lives. Good thing Mother’s Day is coming to show them our appreciation

[@SAMMIsLIFE]

I love that theyre rehabilitating them and releasing them. Theyre so adorable, i love otters

[@bryangoncalvesdejesus2028]

i just want to know who cried and think that this is meaningful too? just curiosity. because this really touched my heart :)

[@sue5357]

+bryan gonçalves de jesus yup,,,made me cry.

[@strawkun8827]

bryan gonçalves de jesus I

[@Prixie_lou_]

I feel the same 😭😭😭 sooo beautiful💛💛💛

[@stephaniemamatree5973]

I cried watching the baby on her tummy and the foster mom holding her😭so beautiful 🥰

[@_Breakdown]

This is the most adorable video I've ever seen. Precious. Heat-warming that mother & child animals can bond this way.

[@annalexx]

omg so cure when they finally float together!

[@doaadaraz185]

Yep so cure!

[@CharmaineShannon]

Moms are Moms No Matter What !! This is "AWESOME" .... Nature at it's "BEST" !!!!

[@CharmaineShannon]

Take a Minute for Some "Cuteness"...... RESPECT Life, It's Worth the Sacrifice and Effort !!!! Thank-You !!

[@giginovak8027]

Charmaine Shannon lol,, go watch wolf cub spy hangs out with wolf cubs

[@giginovak8027]

Alexander Novak I'm a novak too! Yhea!

[@MrSmallANDLoud]

Charmaine Shannon dad otter lives matter

[@namedrop721]

Moms aren’t always moms. It’s why we have adoption and foster care in the first place lol

[@needabreak]

Otters are my absolute, favorite animals. This video was such a pleasure to watch. Thank you.

[@rapunzelagain]

2:24 Tula is like "What are we doing? Chilling in the fake kelp? Cool!"

[@alfcab]

2:30 = Sweetest thing ever.

[@berlinsaintclair9100]

It's beautiful to see foster parenting in nature (seems more that than surrogate in terms) What a beautiful and exhilarating moment 💜

[@bennymartinez007]

I’m speechless, incredible the love shared between these two.

[@faizunasyraff3719]

501: I don't trust this...thing. Looks dangerous and could rip me to shreds Tula: *barrel rolls*

[@sharonazar1]

if you love otters, read "Ring of Bright Water" by Gavin Maxwell. There's a film but it doesn't hold a candle to the book which is magical, poetic and full of otter stories!!

[@londons_legacy]

Sharon Azar omg omg thank you

[@TheDobla05]

How loving is that. Im in tears now. Amazing.x

[@joshuapatrick682]

The most adorable predators!

[@kellicasella-schlink1388]

Tula was the name of my old dog that was about 13 years old and was by my side all the time since I was born, she was the best dog that I ever had and I made a lot of amazing memories with her❤️❤️

[@wirinaholstein4076]

Awww - it must demand the biggest heart and compassion for otters to manage to stay detached and not give in to the orphans needs to bond. No doubt its saying the otters in the future so they dont get too used to humans and too reliant to life in captivity. But waiting patiently while attempting to make the female otter accept a baby, when the baby is all alone and scared and just want the comfort of the handlers, must be extremely hard. Only the most professional and caring handlers will be able to stay cool and not get tempted to collect the baby back into human nursing again.

[@ryarod]

Agreed. Simply put, I don't think I could do it.

[@grytlappar]

+wirina holstein - They're probably thinking about the reward it means for the pup if it does work! For him/her to have a chance to float around on his new mom's tummy like that... And for the pup to be taught how to fish, how to open mussel shells, which only another otter could do. He couldn't be released otherwise.

[@wirinaholstein4076]

grytlappar You're so right. And I think we all think of that whenever we watch videos like this and just in general in life. I always try to only think of the reward and meaningfulness for the animal whenever I myself standby to witness rescue releases as a consultant vet, but I couldn't be the keepers who stand by the cages and free the precious souls they've cared for with all their passion. Although they always feel emotional because they are so happy for the animal who gets to return to the wild, they also often feel a little sting of sadness and grief. Its a demanding job to do what these people do and they have all my respect and praise.

[@kabalor5326]

Mom otter: "Guess what.. You're adopted. I still love you" Adopted Otter:(insert best cry ever here) "AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH"

[@irenebaptista8518]

These types of stories always warm my heart

[@neerajamb]

Otters pups are sooo cute! Thanks for helping these lovely creatures

[@ts1931]

You guys are awesome!! Thank you for all the work you do for our planets wildlife!!

[@nancypiglosi6398]

What a good foster mom!

[@dds9563]

Melts my heart !!! Thank you for this video !!! I’m so touch by this !!!

[@mementomori4685]

i’ve always loved otters. this just made me love them even more.

[@Domesticgoddess12]

Awwww!!!! How sweet and cute was that?!?!?

[@Nightstriker995]

when they were hugging like that my heart fucking melted made me smile so big. and even cry tears of joy.

[@isabellamarshall7347]

I keep coming back to this video and watch it every 6 months cause it's so wholesome and happy.

[@hopefultraveler3543]

I can never watch this without crying...bless Tula!

[@chriszebra7806]

Bless these wonderful humans for caring

[@60sAmethyst]

So beautiful, loved this piece. LOVE wildlife. Lately though there have been a family of black bears coming into our backyard along with rabbits, deer, coyotes and god knows what else.

[@jujunita12345]

wow where do u live??

[@denisebethany5691]

So sweet, she just wants to make sure the pup feels loved, adorable.

[@danishaussie63]

1.16am, and I have the biggest smile on my face from this....just beautiful!!!

[@Chino780]

Big case of the feels over here.

[@ladyofthewoods2448]

Better than a lot of humans. So sweet 💕

[@yellowroseoftexas2890]

What a beautiful story to watch. Thank you for sharing

[@kristasmith3474]

I am crying tears of JOY so much right now!!!!!! I Love You Guy's and Girl's for helping these beautiful animal's!!!!!!

[@katherineuribe2952]

Made me cry! So sweet!💗

[@OAwesomeO]

Katherine Uribe hey, i see you everywhere. We have a lot of the same interests apparently lol. Lions are one of my favorite animals too

[@seahorse5689]

I have now watched this video about ten times. Love, love, love seeing these cuties bonding.

[@kimberlysmiley316]

Oh, that is so adorable!!!!! What a beautiful thing to do for them!

[@Boxghost102]

Me: Oh wise youtube algorithm, what will I watch today? KZbin: Sea Otter adoption! Also, you will cry.

[@infocool4609]

Ya! I'm a grown assed man and it brought a tear to my eye. What you looking at?

[@MrWizardjr9]

i mean tula tried to interact with 501 in the beginning but 501 didnt react well so tula is probably just waiting for them to calm down

[@Loveoldies50]

I LOVE watching otters. As a kid, I saw the first program with them on Disney. It was love at first sight. They are adorable! I'm SO happy the baby was adopted!

[@danieltyce9208]

That is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen!

[@laurelwidmer6165]

Awwww that was so cute when they were snuggling i love it

[@bronzerat012]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@s.archuleta3570]

Such an amazing MOMMA!! 👏She must have a strong maternal drive to raise that many orphan babies!! She's a SUPERMOM!!❤

[@DesireandLoss92]

Otters really are such amazing and loving creatures.

[@xmidsummersky]

oh my god, i want to nap on an otter's belly too 😭

[@meghanmedendorp3257]

They’re VERY soft. I went to the Seattle Aquarium with my dad one day, and they had a sample of otter fur and it was so INCREDIBLY soft

[@some1350]

I actually spaced out watching that video. That was beautiful.

[@jst6r]

I can barely handle the cuteness. What a sweet surrogate mama

[@keigisa]

Mamma otter can adopt me anytime

[@AurioDK]

I spent the better better of my first 12 years roaming the streets of Lisbon without finding a family (before and after the Salazar period), this otter did it in 5 days, granted ... they were sort of trapped together. Always wondered what my life would have been like with an otter mom like that, don´t worry though, I managed and turned out just fine.

[@dishuuu112]

That is what we call "fate" and "destiny". Atleast, that's what I call it. What maybe in store for others' fate or destiny, may not be in ours and vice versa. That is why we say we shouldn't compare ourselves with anyone. It just leads to disappointment and nothing else. But, hey! I am glad that you managed and are doing absolutely fine!! :)

[@sarahm5936]

thank you for sharing your story

[@nobodyimportant9603]

I watched this full episode in my aquatic biology class! Very cute

[@thesumeriangod5421]

We need more caring & thoughtful human beings on earth.

[@Trund27]

Come child, aboard the Mothership.