Lincoln the Rescued Sea Otter Turns One

Happy squeaks could be heard throughout Steller Cove this week as rescued sea otter Lincoln celebrated his first birthday in style — with a special frozen shrimp cake and a swim in his favorite pool. A first birthday is always a milestone, but it’s especially significant for this orphaned otter, also known to his many fans as the “Prince of Sea Pups.” “Lincoln was found as an orphaned pup, so his birthday is a bit of an educated guess,” said marine life keeper Amy Hash. “But that makes it all the more special, because he almost didn’t make it.” In late October of 2017, the pup soon to be known as Lincoln was found stranded in Morro Bay Harbor; rescuers from Monterey Bay Aquarium's rescue and care program estimated he was less than 2 weeks old at the time. Unable to be paired with a surrogate mom, he was eventually deemed non-releasable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In December, he moved to his home at the Oregon Zoo. ... Committed to conservation, Oregon Zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Oregon silverspot and Taylor's checkerspot butterflies, western pond turtles and Oregon spotted frogs. Other projects include studies on Asian elephants, polar bears, orangutans and giant pandas. Celebrating 125 years of community support, the zoo relies in part on donations through the Oregon Zoo Foundation to undertake these and many other animal welfare, education and sustainability programs.