Monterey Bay Aquarium has cared for over 1,000 stranded sea otters

Over four decades, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has transformed a former cannery site into a world-renowned institution, drawing more than 70 million visitors. Funded by a $57 million donation from David and Lucile Packard, the aquarium now houses exhibits showcasing the marine life of California's Central Coast and engages in significant conservation efforts.

The Sea Otter Recovery Program has been instrumental in caring for over 1,000 stranded sea otters, successfully raising 84 pups for release into the wild. This program is vital in protecting a keystone species that plays a crucial role in maintaining coastal ecosystems, such as kelp forests and eelgrass meadows, by controlling the populations of marine invertebrates.