When high waves generated by El Nino storms separated this baby sea otter and her mother, the Monterey Bay Aquarium came to the rescue. The aquarium has pioneered a rehabilitation program for baby otters, matching the rescued little ones with surrogate mothers until they are ready to be released back to the wild. Over the past 30 years, this program has proven to be an incredible success, returning 700 otters back to the wild. Unfortunately for this baby otter, all the surrogate mothers were already taken. Although she couldn’t be returned to the while, due to being socialized with humans, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium was kind enough to open its doors and offer the otter a permanent home. Settled into her new home and looking as happy as a clam, this adorable little critter finally got a name: Ellie. How otterly adorable!