Sea otters are charismatic marine mammals that require highly specialised care in captivity. Their welfare in zoological facilities depends on cold water, complex foraging enrichment, and social housing — and the best programmes play a meaningful role in conservation.
Sea otters are among the most energetically demanding animals to maintain in captivity. Their welfare requires constant access to cold water (below 15°C), sophisticated daily enrichment to simulate foraging, and the option for social contact with conspecifics — otters are semi-social and benefit from at least visual access to others. Social isolation is a known welfare risk. Many facilities now use welfare assessment frameworks that track behavioural indicators such as tool use, food manipulation diversity, and rest quality. Otters rescued as stranded pups that cannot be released often serve as ambassadors for their species, but this role must be balanced against the need for a genuinely enriching daily life.