Wildlife officials in California are attempting to capture a mature female sea otter that has been displaying unusual aggressive behavior towards kayakers and surfers in the Santa Cruz area. The five-year-old otter has been stealing surfboards and biting and tearing chunks off them, in addition to aggressively approaching people who encounter her. Despite no reported injuries, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has deemed the situation a public safety risk and is working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Monterey Bay Aquarium to capture and rehome the otter.
Video and photographs have been shared on social media showing the otter’s antics, with the marine mammal getting on top of surfboards and displaying a level of aggression towards people that is highly unusual for sea otters. The USFWS has stated that the exact cause of the otter’s behavior is unknown, but it may be related to hormonal surges or the fact that it has been fed by humans in the past. The otter was born in captivity and later released into the wild, and it has a history of exhibiting aggressive behavior towards humans. In the past, a team of wildlife officials and aquarium staff were able to haze the otter, preventing further incidents through the winter.
Sea Otter in California
In this context, hazing refers to a technique used by wildlife experts to change the behavior of an animal by using deterrents, such as loud noises or sprinkling a substance that is unpleasant to the animal. The USFWS has stressed that the otter’s behavior is highly unusual and poses a public safety risk, and it is urging people not to approach the animal or encourage it to interact with them.
As a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act and protected under the Marine Mammal Act and California state law, southern sea otters are an important part of the marine ecosystem in California. By capturing and rehoming the aggressive otter, wildlife officials hope to ensure the safety of both the animal and the people who visit the area.
