The sea pup polls are open.
Chicago's cuddly ambassador of conservation - the orphaned southern sea otter pup who was rescued and brought to the Shedd Aquarium - needs a name.
Since her introduction to the world last month, the pup has been known only as Pup 681. But Shedd staff has narrowed the field to five more personal options, and a national naming contest launched this morning on ABC's "Good Morning America."
"The polls opened at 7 a.m.," Shedd spokeswoman Andrea Rodgers said. "They can vote as many times as they want to."
Rodgers said voters can go to the "Good Morning America" or Shedd websites to cast their votes, choosing names picked because they reflect the area where 681 was rescued in California:
•Cali - to honor her California roots.
•Ellie - to honor the elephant seals in Ano Nuevo State Park as well as Elkhorn Slough, an area that is up the coast from Monterey and is home to many sea otters.
•Luna - derived from Half Moon Bay, close to where Pup 681 was found.
•Poppy - to honor the California state flower.
•Ana or Anya - derived from Ano Nuevo State Park
Voting will conclude Dec. 11, Rodgers said.
The 9-week-old otter has been an Internet sensation since arriving at the Shedd, drawing 3.2 million views on the aquarium's YouTube channel as she splashed around in her water tanks.
Pup 681 is now diving and eating solid foods, Rodgers said. And while the splashing is fun to watch, Rodgers said Pup 681 has a more serious mission.
"She is serving as a conversation ambassador," Rodgers said. "She is a threatened species. It's important that we go beyond the cuteness. It's a species that needs our help."
Federal authorities have determined that the pup is "unreleasable" because she is unable to care for herself. So Pup 681 will be staying at Shedd for good.
The pup was discovered Sept. 30 on Coastways Beach in central California when she was believed to be 1 week old. A jogger heard the pup crying and notified the Marine Mammal Center. Pup 681 was taken to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for care.