California and federal wildlife officials are taking action to address the presence of an “aggressive” sea otter which has been exhibiting worrying behavior near Santa Cruz.
The otter, known as Otter 841, was born at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and released into the wild in 2021..
Since then, he has been approaching surfers and kayakers, in order to “steal” their boards or transportation equipment, a situation that raises concerns for public safety.
Efforts are underway to safely capture the otter and relocate it to a suitable environment, while recognizing the vital role that sea otters play in coastal ecosystems.
“Upon capture, the sea otter will undergo a health assessment and will eventually be rehomed to a zoo or aquarium,” state and federal wildlife officials said in a statement. joint communiqué.
The Operation Otter Capture
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service are working together with a team of trapping specialists from CDFW and the Monterey Bay Aquarium to safely capture the Otter. 841.
Attempts to capture the otter have been ongoing since July 2, but have so far been unsuccessful.
Traditionally, the capture of healthy wild sea otters involves a clandestine underwater approach. However, due to cloudy water conditions, alternative catching methods must be adapted to ensure the safety of both the otter and the catching team.
California wildlife officials are hoping to apprehend a 5-year-old sea otter who has a knack for riding the waves after committing longboard larceny. Called Otter 841 by officials, she is well known for both her bold behavior and her ability to hang 10. pic.twitter.com/I9UAKMCeFK
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 12, 2023
Although challenging, the organizations are committed to exploring all available options to capture the otter without resorting to euthanasia or lethal methods.
Importance of sea otters and public safety
Sea otters play a vital role in coastal ecosystems along the central California coast. While prioritizing public safety, wildlife officials also recognize the importance of preserving the presence of sea otters in these ecosystems. Lilian Carswell, of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, emphasizes the importance of capturing the otter to eliminate the potential risk it poses to public safety, as published by UPI.
To aid capture efforts, Otter 841 has been tagged with a radio transmitter.allowing wildlife scientists to track their location, according to local media.
However, Capturing the otter can take days or weeks due to the challenges faced in the capture process.
Once successfully captured, the otter will be taken to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for a thorough health evaluation before being relocated to a permanent home at an aquarium or zoo. State and federal wildlife officials stress that euthanasia or lethal methods are not being considered in this case.
Authorities urge surfers and kayakers to avoid approaching sea otters, and comply with safety guidelines. By respecting the otter’s space and maintaining a safe distance, the public can contribute to the overall well-being of humans and wildlife.
The efforts of California and federal wildlife officials to capture the “aggressive” sea otter near Santa Cruz they highlight a commitment to preserve public safety while acknowledging the importance of sea otters to coastal ecosystems.
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2023-07-17 03:08:27
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