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YouTube-starring Vancouver Aquarium sea otter dies
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by Amy Judd | September 24, 2008 at 05:00 am
782 views | 12 Recommendations | 9 comments
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Nyac, a 20-year-old sea otter died of leukemia yesterday at the Vancouver Aquarium.
She was one of the most popular animals at the Aquarium, was a survivor of the 1989 Exxon Valdez Alaskan oil spill, and was also one of the stars of the famous YouTube video of two otters holding hands.
At six months old and too weak to be released into the wild after the spill, she came to the aquarium after being rescued by aquarium staff.
At age 20, she was one of the longest-surviving otters in captivity.
Nyac was often seen floating on her back nibbling food between her paws. Her agile movements and splashy attitude won the hearts of visitors and staff at the aquarium.
"Having survived such a traumatic event and overcoming incredible odds at such a young age, her life has been an amazing journey for all of us to share," said Clint Wright, senior vice-president of aquarium operations and planning.
According to the aquarium, Nyac was the only known survivor of the Exxon Valdez oil spill to have successfully had a pup in an aquarium: a female named Kipnuk born in 1993, which was sent to an aquarium in Belgium.
The aquarium said Nyac's life will continue to provide vital information on the long-term effects of oil exposure.
Sea Otters are a threatened species in Canada. Their population in BC is about 3,200 and growing.
Nyac however, will be missed.
It is also 'Sea Otter Awareness' week at the Aquarium, so it's an unfortunate time for Nyac's passing.
Sea Otter Awareness Week began five years ago to educate the public about sea otters, their history and the conservation issues they are facing. Sea otters numbered in the hundreds of thousands two and a half centuries ago, but over-hunting in the 18th century nearly led to their extinction. Today, there are between 65,000 and 90,000 sea otters worldwide. Once extinct in British Columbia, 89 sea otters were reintroduced here between 1969 and 1972 and since then that number has grown substantially, now totalling 3,200.
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Crowd Power
Alfred Hermida
Vancouver (UBC), British Columbia, Canada
Amy Judd
Vancouver, Canada
Rachel Nixon
Vancouver, CanadaKD McA
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Netherlandsa.b.chow
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San Francisco, California, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (9)
at 06:29 on September 24th, 2008
I'm truly saddened by this. I loved watching the otters at the aquarium and Nyac was still going strong until recently. She wasn't there on my last visit and I wondered what had happened to her.
at 07:10 on September 24th, 2008
This is sad news. The sea otters were a big draw at the aquarium.
at 07:48 on September 24th, 2008
I remember her too, floating and holding hands.
at 09:33 on September 24th, 2008
The otters are my favorite; I could watch them for hours. Sad news about our beloved Nyac, she will be missed.
at 09:37 on September 24th, 2008
The otters are my favourite too - I think she was just so cute. It is too bad that she didn't live for longer, but at least 20 years was a pretty good run.
at 10:43 on September 24th, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 14:34 on September 24th, 2008
amyjudd, sad! I love otters. Bye little guy...er...girl!
at 15:20 on September 24th, 2008
The Vancouver Aquarium sent out a note to members about Nyac. Here is part of it about her illness:
Nyac was at the upper limit of a female sea otter life span. Over the last 2-3 years Nyac has been showing signs of her advanced age most obviously a gradual slowing down in her general behaviours. In July, Nyac suddenly showed limited energy and mobility. The Aquarium’s veterinary team immediately began their work in an attempt to determine a reason for the sudden deterioration of Nyac’s health. An MRI revealed a serious inner ear infection however blood test results showed a more serious underlying disorder.
With treatment, Nyac’s behaviour improved and since that time she had been under close observation by the marine mammal and veterinary care teams. Last Friday her condition worsened and she was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Nyac was placed under 24-hour care with key staff in attendance. Her condition continued to worsen until Nyac passed away early this morning.
“Nyac was a very special animal and had been placed under palliative care. Our entire veterinary and marine mammal care team is, of course, devastated this morning. Lymphocytic leukemia has not been previously reported in sea otters and because there is some association with contact with petroleum in other species, she is an important animal. From a medical perspective, Nyac is also very important because of her long life. Even as we’ll miss her we know she’ll continue to provide vital information on the long-term effects of oil exposure.” said Dr. Martin Haulena, Staff Veterinarian, Vancouver Aquarium.
at 15:23 on September 24th, 2008
Oh so sad. Thanks for providing some background to her illness.
Hopefully she will at least be able to help save other otters in the future with the knowledge they are able to learn from her.