Orphaned Otter Makes Way To N.Y. Aquarium

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- An orphaned sea otter found stranded in Alaska over the summer is preparing to make his public debut at the New York Aquarium.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) announced in a statement Friday that Tazo, the northern sea otter pup, will be a part of the aquarium's Sea Cliffs exhibit.

AUDIO: John Dohlin, Director of the WCS New York Aquarium, speaks with 1010 WINS

He's come a long way since being discovered in Homer, Alaska, after he was separated from his mother during a storm and popped up in a resident's backyard at only two or three-weeks-old. While Tazo was in good physical condition, he was "scared and confused" due to his separation from his mother, according to the WCS.

Aquarium worker Nicole Pisciotta traveled to Alaska to work with the otter until he was well enough to come to New York. Once he was brought back to the aquarium, he received round-the-clock care and was slowly integrated into his new home.

Now five months old, aquarium staffers are eager to introduce him to New Yorkers.

"Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Nicole Pisciotta and the rest of the animal department staff, Tazo is doing very well, and we have a wonderful new addition to our collection," said WCS's Jon Forrest Dohlin, Director of the New York Aquarium. "We are very excited about introducing Tazo to the public later this year."

WCS is the only conservation group with a long-term, on-the-ground presence in Arctic Alaska.