Famous Hand-Holding Sea Otter Dies at Vancouver Aquarium

Vancouver.com is sad to report that Nyac, international YouTube sensation, delighter of children and adults, companion to Milo and longterm resident of the Vancouver Aquarium, passed away in the early hours of Sept 24, 2008, after an earlier diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Nyac was 20 years old, and one of the last remaining survivors of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster off the coast of the Alaska. She was rescued and relocated to the Vancouver Aquarium over 19 years ago, where her story of survival and playful spirit captured the heart of the aquarium's staff, along with millions of visitors who stopped by the Aquarium each year.

The sudden passing came in the middle of the Aquarium's Sea Otter Awareness Week, which seeks to educate visitors on the once nearly extinct creature. Events and education sessions with continue this week as planned, albeit likely with an air of sadness.

"It is an extremely sad day with the passing of one of our favourite animals. Nyac helped the Vancouver Aquarium interpretive teams engage and inspire millions of visitors as they learned about conservation, rehabilitation of injured marine mammals, and how to help sustain our aquatic environment. Having survived such a traumatic event and overcoming incredible odds at such a young age, her life has been an amazing journey for all of us to share. She lived long, has been adored by millions, and is an inspirational story of hope against the backdrop of a substantial environmental tragedy - the Exxon Valdez oil spill," said Clint Wright, Senior Vice President, Aquarium Operations & Planning.

Nyac's passing leave the Aquarium with 3 otters: Tanu (a 4 year old female) and Elfin (a 7 year old male), both orphaned as young pups off the coast of Alaska and hand raised at the Aquarium. Milo, a 9 year old male who gained fame with Nyac when a Youtube video of the pair swimming holiding hands garnered 11 million views, also remains behind at the Aquarium.

Rest in peace, Nyac.