VANCOUVER OTTER THAT WAS SHOT IN THE FACE AND BLINDED MAKES GOOD RECOVERY

Last October I posted an article about an otter who had been shot in the face and blinded. 

 

His recovery seemed uncertain at that time, but a medical team at the Vancouver Aquarium has done a wonderful job, and the otter - formerly named Pirate and now renamed WALTER - is on the mend.  He is still blind but his resilience and will to live has shown everyone that he was worth saving.

 

Sea otter shot in the face and blinded

is out of critical condition and eating

 

The otter named Walter was found near Tofino, B.C., Canada, blinded and riddled with dozens of birdshot pellets.

 

Since Walter's arrival at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre on Oct. 18, Dr. Martin Haulena and his veterinary team have performed multiple surgeries on shattered bones in one of his flippers.

 

This past week, the team performed oral surgery to treat broken teeth caused by the shotgun blast. Three of Walter’s broken teeth were extracted and a complex root canal was performed to save one of his canine teeth

 

“Walter still has a long way to go, but he has made significant progress,” says Dr. Haulean.  “His flexibility has improved, which means he can now groom himself much better. Having removed his broken teeth and treated his oral infection, he should feel much more comfortable.”

 

That said, it doesn't look like Walter will ever be released to the wild. He is still totally blind and will likely never see again.

 

"We will go through the process now of trying to heal him up as best we can," says Dr. Haulena. "Then the Department of Fisheries and Oceans will decide what to do with him."

 

See pictures of Walter - http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/sea-otter-shot-in-face-out-of-critical-condition-eating-1.2451242


The October 23 report when Walter was first found
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/sea-otter-shot-in-face-out-of-critical-condition-eating-1.2451242

 

NOTE:   Our deepest gratitude to the Vancouver Aquarium for giving Walter another chance.  He obviously enjoys life in spite of his disability, and let's hope the Aquarium will keep him with their resident otters, where he will be loved by staff and visitors.

Vancouver Aquarium's website - http://www.aquablog.ca/2013/12/rescued-sea-otter-responds-well-to-treatment/

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