Rescued otter at California marine park

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- A California sea otter pup separated from her mother before being rescued near Santa Barbara is being cared for at SeaWorld San Diego, park officials said.

Veterinarians and animal care specialists at the marine-themed park are monitoring the female pup that arrived Tuesday, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

The female pup was found stranded as a newborn about three months ago, SeaWorld said, and was deemed non-releasable by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and in need of long-term care.

The otter was rescued by staff at the Sea Otter Research and Conservation program of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, who treated it for a viral infection.

When found the pup had a normal birth weight of about 3 to 5 pounds and now weighs more than 13 pounds.

Fully grown otters can reach 40 pounds, veterinarians said.

The pup would likely be introduced to the park's otter group in a few weeks, SeaWorld said.