Sea Otter Stealing Surfboards Santa Cruz

In California, an aggressive sea otter is harassing people by riding surfboards that she has taken from lineup surfers.

A 5-year-old female sea otter with a developing reputation for frequently confronting surfers and kayakers calls Steamer Lane home. Steamer Lane is a famed point break situated around the rocky coast of Santa Cruz.

Surfers watch in astonishment as videos spread through social media show the otter pulling itself out of the water and onto boards. She has occasionally compelled surfers to give up their boards completely or bitten on their boards.

Although onlookers in the films can be heard mocking the unfortunate surfers, officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service claim that the otter poses a threat to public safety.

The USFWS issued a statement saying that although there have been no confirmed instances of injuries, kayakers, surfers, and other people enjoying themselves in the area "should not approach the otter or encourage the otter's interactions."

Photographer Mark Woodward, 60, a native of Santa Cruz, said he has captured hundreds of otters throughout the years but has never witnessed anything like this. In less than a week, he has seen the otter abuse surfers three times.

According to Woodward, "I saw the first incident on June 18 and I didn't know what was happening." It was really quite amazing.

Although the exact explanation of the otter's behaviour is unknown, the USFWS claimed it is "concerning and unusual," and that it might be related to hormone changes or being fed by people.

According to the USFWS, southern sea otters are protected under the Marine Mammal Act, the Endangered Species Act, and California law. They are also listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The population has recovered since becoming a protected species after being hunted to almost extinction for their fur in the 1700s and 1800s, and it is a crucial predator in California's coastal habitats.

In order to capture and rehome the otter, a team from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is searching for her. Unfortunately, the otter won't be allowed to return to the wild after being captured, Monterey Bay Aquarium spokeswoman Kevin Connor told NPR.

According to Connor, the otter, officially known as otter 841, was successfully released back into the wild in June 2020 after being successfully born in captivity since its mother had likewise been too familiar with people. She did not begin acting in an odd manner at Steamer Lane until September 2022.

At the time, CDFW and aquarium employees were successful in hazing the animal out of the area in an effort to prevent her from interacting with people in the future. But Connor said her most recent contacts demonstrate that she is no longer fearful of people.

"We're attempting to prevent anything more drastic by attempting to recapture the otter. The USFW, which is in charge of controlling the otter population, would have to start talking about euthanizing the animal if it were to hurt or bite someone, according to Connor. Nobody likes to see that, but it is the truth.

Once captured, she will be transferred to the aquarium for a checkup before being relocated to her permanent residence at a site authorised by the USFWS. Otter 841 has been determined to be un-releasable, just as her mother was before her, Connor added.

The southern sea otter was thought to be extinct until a family of 50 was discovered in Big Sur in 1938, according to Connor. They number around 3,000 today, which is only 30% of what experts believe the original population was before they almost went extinct.

Are sea otters present in Santa Cruz?

Sea life is abound in and around Santa Cruz County because it is a part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. All through the year, sightings of humpback whales, sea lions, seals, and the ever-present sea otter are possible.

In Santa Cruz, California, is swimming possible?

Cowell Beach, which is on the west side of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, is the most well-liked open water swimming beach in Santa Cruz. This lovely landscape and small bay are usually shielded from the wind by high cliffs.

Sea Otter Stealing Surfboards Santa Cruz