Virginia Navy Base Staff Stunned To Discover Two Wild Babies Outside Their Door
Spotting wildlife in the Little Creek Navy Base in Norfolk, Virginia, is more of a rare treat than a daily occurrence.
But one day, something completely unexpected turned up, and it had the whole base talking.
Right outside one of the administration buildings were two baby otters, curled up close like a fuzzy little duo. Just sitting there.
Their tiny faces peeked out with wide, unsure eyes, like they were trying to make sense of the strange world around them. At just 5 or 6 weeks old, the otter pups looked far too young to be on their own.
At first, everyone at the base hoped their mom was nearby, maybe just hidden or out searching for food. So they waited and watched from a distance, hoping to see her appear and whisk her babies back to safety.
But the day wore on, and no mother showed up.
That’s when the staff knew they couldn’t wait any longer. These little ones needed help, real help, and fast. So they reached out to Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge, a trusted team known for stepping in when animals have nowhere else to turn.
When the rescuers arrived and saw the tiny pups up close, they were heartbroken. Otters that young should still be with their mom, safe in a cozy den, not sitting alone on pavement, cold and confused.
Something had clearly gone wrong. Whether the mother had been scared off, injured, or something else entirely, no one knew. But what was certain was that these pups didn’t end up there by choice.
The team moved quickly, scooping up the fragile little pair and wrapping them in warmth. They named them Cedar and Willow and rushed them off to the home of experienced wildlife rehabber Cindy Lakin.
There, a much-needed second chance was waiting.
The little ones were in serious trouble. They needed round-the-clock care and constant attention just to make it through each day. Lakin shared in an interview:
“Otters at that age would never be out of their den. If they are out, something has happened, and they need rescue.”
Cedar and Willow weren’t alone for long. At Cindy’s home, they joined four other orphaned otter pups, each with their own story, each needing a fresh start.
But before the fun could begin, there was serious work to be done. Cedar, Willow, and their new otter buddies were in rough shape.
They were dehydrated, underweight, and clearly worn down from being without their moms. Their little bodies were fragile, and they needed fluids and medicine just to start feeling safe again.
Thankfully, they were in the best hands. With Cindy’s expert care and a whole lot of love, the pups slowly began to turn a corner. They grew stronger and healthier, started gaining weight and showing off that playful energy.
Before long, they hit a major milestone: fish! The pups began learning what it meant to be wild again. And once they got a taste of water? Game over. Splashing became their new favorite thing.
Watching them was nothing short of magical. Every day brought more energy, more silliness, and more joy, as Lakin shared:
“For otters, everything is fun and games. They love their toys.”
Life, for these otters, was finally good again.
Soon, all six of these once-fragile pups will be ready to take the final step in their journey and head back to the wild where they truly belong. The plan is to release them together, so they can explore the streams and forests side by side, strong, confident, and free.
Just the way it was always meant to be.
And none of it would’ve been possible without the kindness of the people who cared, from the Navy staff who didn’t look the other way, to Cindy and her loving hands that guided them every step of the way.
Because of them, six otters now have a future filled with freedom, adventure, and all the splashy joy their wild hearts can handle.
