CHICAGO (AP) — An orphaned sea otter pup is making her first public appearance this week at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium.

The sea otter named Cayucos was found stranded on a beach in California. She was named after the beach where she was rescued.

Staff at Shedd Aquarium nursed her back to health. The 7-month-old sea otter put on 11 pounds since arriving at the aquarium in January and now weighs 26 pounds.

The aquarium’s team gave the pup constant care in a behind-the-scenes sea otter nursery. The otter learned how to groom, forage, feed and regulate her own body temperature.

She now has joined other otters in the Abbott Oceanarium.

Posted 5/25/2012