Disease affects all kinds of animals and is one of the reasons Kesuk, a male northern sea otter approximately five months old, was brought to Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program on September 18, 2015. He was found guarding his dying mother who was suffering from an aggressive systemic bacterial infection. After admitting him into the response program he experienced complications from stress, and so supportive care was needed. Through monitoring and care from trained professionals, Kesuk is thriving as a healthy one year old. In time, like many of the other otters at the center, he will be placed in a permanent facility.