California--Rosa, a resident female sea otter (Enhydra lutris) at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, in Monterey, California, was known for being the aquarium's oldest otter. She also served as a surrogate mother of 15 abandoned otter pups and star attraction at the aquarium for which she is greatly missed. Born in late August 1999, Rosa was found stranded on the beach off the northern cost of California in Santa Cruz County. Estimated at around 4 weeks of age upon arrival, the orphaned otter was raised by the staff at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and then released into the wild at the age of 2 years. This, however, was not meant to be. Soon she arrived back at the aquarium after her continued interaction with humans--jumping on swimmers and kayakers, presented a risk not only to herself, but to the humans she encountered. Relatively large for a female sea otter, Rosa was known for her characteristic soft silver- colored fur and white freckles on her head. She grew into a well-known celebrity, being featured on the aquarium’s live sea otter cam. Over the ensuing years, Rosa was to become the foster mom to 15 abandoned otter pups. She “retired” as a surrogate mom, following the release of her last otter pups in October 2019. Her daily activities were shared with the public on the aquarium's live sea otter cam. For a period of time she enjoyed eating live food with shells and crabs, eating over 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of food per day, normally resting at the water surface at the center window after feeding. In her later years, after developing a heart condition and diminished eyesight, Rosa was fed using plastic “boomer” balls, and other toys to deliver food. She was groomed regularly by a health monitoring team that performed personal training sessions that accommodated Rosa's limits. During her physical checkups three times a year, she was assessed with radiographs, blood tests, and dental care. Like many other otters at the aquarium, she had over 20 different trained behaviors. From training, Rosa knew how to get onto the weight scales, sticking up her paws for inspection, allowing the use of eyedrops on her, and opening her mouth for inspection. In the wild state, female sea otters normally have a life-span of 15–20 years, and males 10–15 years. Due to her diminished health, Rosa was euthanized died on June 5, 2024. At the time of her death, she was the oldest sea otter at the Monterey Bay Aquarium at 24 years 9 months. In the United States, the oldest known male sea otter, Adaa, had been euthanized for health reasons at 22 years 8 months at the Seattle Aquarium. However, the oldest female otter was Etika. Etika who lived at the Seattle Aquarium, Washington, died of “old age” at approximately 28 years of age, in November 1997. Etika was also the first sea otter to conceive, give birth to, and rear sea otter pups to maturity in captivity in the USA.
Rosa’s Philanthropy
Since Rosa's 20th birthday in 2019, Twitch streamer and YouTuber Douglas Wreden (known as “DougDoug”), had hosted annual charity livestreams to raise money for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. These streams contributed to Rosa's popularity. Wreden and his community raised $320.18 for her 20th birthday, $2,676.31 for her 21st birthday, and $14,172.19 for her 22nd birthday. During his stream celebrating Rosa's 23rd birthday, he and his Twitch viewers raised $104,327.89 for the aquarium. In August 2023, Wreden held two streams for Rosa's 24th birthday, raising a total of $302,014.21. In August 2024, Wreden held two memorial streams on what would have been Rosa's 25th birthday, raising $625,375.68. In total, Wreden has raised $1,048,886.46 for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Rosa was given a profile in the New York Times Magazine's - The Lives They Lived annual commemoration for major figures who died in 2024. She is missed. Selected Reading
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