Oldest sea otter in captivity ever

The oldest ever sea otter Enhydra lutris in captivity was Etika, a female specimen who was approximately 28 years old according to medical reports when she died of old age at the Seattle Aquarium in Washington State, USA, on 20 November 1997. In the wild state, female sea otters normally have a life-span of 15–20 years, and males 10–15 years. She was also the first sea otter to conceive, give birth to, and rear sea otter pups to maturity in captivity in the USA.

Born in Prince William Sound in Alaska, USA, but living at the Seattle Aquarium since it opened in 1977, throughout her long life in captivity Etika was studied intensely by scientists. Indeed, as noted by C.J. Casson, a marine mammal biologist at the Aquarium: "Etika has contributed more information about reproduction and husbandry than any other otter in history. There is a bit of Etika in every otter breeding program across the world".