An otter nicknamed "Olive,"found six weeks ago covered in oil, will be released back into the ocean at a Monterey County beach this morning, according to officials at the California Department of Fish and Game.
The young female otter was found debilitated near Monterey Bay by staff from the Moss Beach Marine Mammal Center on Feb. 21, according to a statement released by DFG spokeswoman Carol Singleton.
During the time Olive spent being cared for at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the DFG's Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center in Santa Cruz, an online Facebook page was created for her where she apparently accumulated more than 900 fans. She was also the recipient of a surgically implanted tracking device that researchers will use follow her movements once she returns to the water in Monterey Bay.
Olive's departure is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m., at Sunset State Beach, 201 Sunset Beach Road in Watsonville.
More information about Olive can be found on her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Olive-the-Oiled-Otter/53658228021.
