Aquarium otter who raised orphaned pups dies

(CBS/AP) MONTEREY, Calif. - A sea otter described by officials at the Monterey Bay Aquarium as the most important animal in the history of the aquarium's otter research program has died.

Aquarium officials say a female otter named Toola died in the aquarium's veterinary care center early Saturday.

Aquarium spokesman Ken Peterson says Toola died of natural causes and of infirmities of age. She was believed to be 15 or 16 years old.

Peterson says she was the first rescued sea otter that aquarium officials know of anywhere in the world that helped raise sea otter pups that were later successfully returned to the wild. According a press release from the aquarium, Toola helped raise 13 pups, 11 of which have so far been released back into the wild. 

She was also, according to the release, the inspiration for state legislation to better protect sea otters.

Andrew Johnson, manager of the Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation program, said:

She showed us that captive otters could successfully raise orphaned pups for return to the wild. She inspired a critical piece of legislation that is helping protect sea otters. And she inspired millions of visitors to care more about sea otters. We will miss her.

She was brought to the aquarium after being found stranded on a beach in Pismo Beach in July 2001.