WASHINGTON — A Chicago aquarium’s staff is helping play the role of mother otter after an orphaned pup came to the facility.

A 5-week-old sea otter pup arrived at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago Oct. 28 after its rescue along the southern California coast.

Shedd, which has 25 year of experience caring for fragile sea otter pups, took the pup in and will offer it a permanent home, according to a news release from the aquarium.

The otter, known as Pup 681, is less than 6 pounds and is receiving around-the-clock care from Shedd’s specialists and veterinarians.

The aquarium posted a video earlier this week with staff helping teach the Pup 681 to swim.

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