SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA — Rescuers helped return a newborn sea otter to her mother on Thursday, in a rare reunion that is as heartwarming as it is adorable. <br /> <br />The two-day old pup was seen floating in California’s Morro Bay after being separated from her mother by strong tides, KTLA reported. <br /> <br />Bystanders called the Marine Mammal Center, a nonprofit group, to report the wayward baby. Volunteers retrieved the female pup, who was alert and suffered no wounds. They then took her out on a boat and presented her to numerous female otters, hoping that one would respond. <br /> <br />Mom turned out to be otter number 7. She returned the pup’s cries with one of her own, and immediately swam toward the boat. <br /> <br />Rescue workers gently tossed the pup into the water. She floated on the surface for a while, since sea otter pups are unable to sink. <br /> <br />Seconds later, her mother popped out of the water and hugged the baby to her belly before both swam away. <br /> <br />It’s fairly common for sea otter pups to be separated from their mothers, but most never see each other again, according to the Marine Mammal Center.
