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Sea otters vaccinated for COVID-19 at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
https://kion546.com ^ | November 9, 2021 | By Lisa Principi

Posted on 11/10/2021 5:39:28 AM PST by Red Badger

VIDEO at link..................

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION) The sea otters who call the Monterey Bay Aquarium home are rolling up their invisible sleeves to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. The eight otters who currently live at the aquarium have all received their shots.

Dr. Michael Murray, who is the Jane Dunaway Director of Veterinary Services at the aquarium, says the vaccine is different than the human dose. It was donated to the aquarium by animal drug company Zoetis. They began administering the vaccine back in August.

"I felt based on the information I had that it was safe for sea otters and most likely effective. They had a lot of data in very, very close cousins, i.e. the mink, that it was a safe vaccine, that it was efficacious," said Dr. Murray. "We have vaccinated all of them now and have not had any problems. They have not missed a beat, or a meal."

The aquarium received approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as the USDA, before moving forward with the vaccinations. Dr. Murray says otters at the New York Aquarium have also received the experimental Zoetis vaccine.

None of the Southern sea otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium have tested positive for COVID. However, they are at risk. A group of Asian small-clawed otters at Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta all tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, back in April 2021. The aquarium says the animals all showed symptoms, including sneezing, runny noses, lethargy and coughing.

There have also been deadly outbreaks among minks, who are close cousins of otters.

"We have a responsibility to the animals that are under our care to do everything we can to protect and ensure their health. And I think it would be irresponsible on our part not to offer them protection, if protection is available," said Dr. Murray.

In order to vaccinate the otters — they were netted, and held down with a sack of foam while the needle was inserted.

"The vaccination process, once we have the animal in the net, is done in a matter of seconds. They don't get a sucker. They don't get a Band-Aid either," said Dr. Murray.

The animals are then monitored for the next few days to make sure they're not experiencing any side effects. Dr. Murray says none of the otters have had an adverse reaction.

Southern sea otters are listed as a threatened species, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium has been working to help protect the species since 1984. They are well known for their sea otter rehabilitation program, caring for sick otters before releasing them back into the wild.

The aquarium says they're now looking into the possibility of adding this COVID vaccine to their regular preventative medicine program — so none of the sea otters that get released will be spreading the virus in the wild.

"I don't know specifically what effect a SARS-CoV-2 infection would have on free ranging sea otters. I can't imagine it's good, because they have to hunt for a living and they have to dive. Their respiratory system is so important."

Dr. Murray says the otters are the only animals at the aquarium who will be receiving the COVID vaccine — but they're still recommending shots for the humans who visit as well.


TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Outdoors; Pets/Animals; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: covid; covid19; vaccines
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1 posted on 11/10/2021 5:39:28 AM PST by Red Badger
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To: Red Badger

Would people rather they get Covid??


2 posted on 11/10/2021 5:40:25 AM PST by JonPreston (Q: Never have so many, been so wrong, so often)
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To: Red Badger

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4011361/posts


3 posted on 11/10/2021 5:41:16 AM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo (The best things in life aren't things.)
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To: Red Badger

More confirmation SARS-COV2 is endemic. It has animal reserves.


4 posted on 11/10/2021 5:44:55 AM PST by IamConservative (I was nervous like the third chimp in line for the Ark after the rain started.)
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To: Red Badger

Can Covid live in sea water?


5 posted on 11/10/2021 5:45:22 AM PST by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer”)
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To: Red Badger

Everything is Covid.

All other diseases have been eradicated from the face of the earth except for that.

So, whenever someone or some thing gets sick, it’s by default Covid.

There is no other cause for any illness.

Aren’t we so fortunate to be living in such wonderful days?

Now if we defeat Covid, we’ll all live forever.


6 posted on 11/10/2021 5:47:40 AM PST by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith)
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To: Red Badger

Everything is Covid.

All other diseases have been eradicated from the face of the earth except for that.

So, whenever someone or some thing gets sick, it’s by default Covid.


7 posted on 11/10/2021 5:47:47 AM PST by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith)
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To: metmom

We’ll all live forever anyways.

Just that some people will be more comfortable doing it..................


8 posted on 11/10/2021 5:49:10 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: blueunicorn6

Can Covid live in sea water?

Probably. The human body has the same salinity level as the ocean.

https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/how-much-salt-is-in-a-human-body/


9 posted on 11/10/2021 5:53:19 AM PST by Flick Lives (The future is a quiet world)
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To: Flick Lives

Save the whales! Save the whales!

Give them shots!

And welfare.


10 posted on 11/10/2021 5:55:48 AM PST by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer”)
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To: JonPreston

They should just be wearing masks.


11 posted on 11/10/2021 5:57:34 AM PST by KC_Lion
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To: Red Badger

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$Pfi$er$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


12 posted on 11/10/2021 6:24:56 AM PST by 4Liberty (Let's go Brandon 👏 ...👏 ...👏👏👏 https://youtu.be/qr_F_XQrukM?t=1)
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To: Red Badger

So now they’re going to subject animals to testing outside of the laboratory.


13 posted on 11/10/2021 6:25:47 AM PST by T.B. Yoits
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To: Red Badger

I am part of a group of guys making a serious effort to give the jab to as many beavers as we can as well.


14 posted on 11/10/2021 6:28:45 AM PST by Codeflier (Please stop calling these violent totalitarian collectivist Democrats, liberals. )
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To: Codeflier

ISWYDT.......................


15 posted on 11/10/2021 6:29:57 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: Codeflier

Oh!

You’re going straight to H E double hockey sticks for that comment, mister!

Probably with a smile on your face.


16 posted on 11/10/2021 6:33:20 AM PST by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer”)
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To: Codeflier
I am part of a group of guys making a serious effort to give the jab to as many beavers as we can as well.

What about the clams? Don't forget the clams.

What are they, chopped liver?


17 posted on 11/10/2021 6:40:57 AM PST by bagster ("Even bad men love their mamas".)
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To: Red Badger

I hope they keep track of how many get sick or die from the vaccine. And how the heck would they get covid in the first place? Infected handlers handling them?


18 posted on 11/10/2021 6:53:01 AM PST by CedarDave (Wearing a mask to keep you safe from the virus is like putting up chicken wire to keep out mosquitos)
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To: CedarDave

How do the deer get covid? Are they not social distancing out in the fields?...........


19 posted on 11/10/2021 6:54:45 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: Red Badger

Dead otters are easily replaced


20 posted on 11/10/2021 6:57:39 AM PST by butlerweave
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