A sea otter pup rescued off the shores of Northern Vancouver Island has been named Hardy.

The pup was first brought to the District of Port Hardy for treatment, when a group of boaters spotted the lone sea otter following and calling out to their boat on June 25.

When the boaters arrived in Port Hardy they contacted the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, who then contacted the Vancouver Aquarium香蕉视频直播檚 Marine Mammal Rescue Centre for help.

The Vancouver Aquarium even . Sarah Stregger submitted the winning submission 香蕉视频直播楬ardy香蕉视频直播� in honour of the place where the pup was rescued.

The rescue centre has since been providing 24-hour care for the pup, who was too young to survive on his own. Hardy was estimated to be only two to four weeks old when he was found.

香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 doing very well since he香蕉视频直播檚 come here,香蕉视频直播� said Lindsaye Akhurst, manager of the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre. 香蕉视频直播淪ince he came here one month ago, he香蕉视频直播檚 doubled his weight and he香蕉视频直播檚 learning how to dive underwater.香蕉视频直播�

Hardy still needs 24-hour care and staff and volunteers at the rescue centre will work around the clock until he can feed on his own, maintain his coat quality and show increased activity in the pool.

Akhurst says it香蕉视频直播檚 uncertain why Hardy was separated from his mother. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 not uncommon for them to be separated for a short period of time, but it香蕉视频直播檚 uncommon for them not to find each other again,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Hardy will remain in the care of the rescue centre until he is old enough for the Vancouver Aquarium and the DFO to better assess his situation, but Akhurst noted 香蕉视频直播渟ea otters of this age are not typically releasable香蕉视频直播� without a surrogate mother to provide care.

Each year the rescue centre cares for over 100 marine mammals and rehabilitates them for release, when possible. In addition to Hardy, they are currently caring for 54 harbour seals and two sea lions.