Monterey Bay Aquarium Study: Gaps in kelp cover may threaten the recovery of California sea otters
A new study by Monterey Bay Aquarium researchers indicates that gaps in the kelp canopy may be a contributing factor in the increase in southern sea otter mortality from white shark bites in California. Research suggests sea otters have reached carrying capacity throughout much of the center portion of their California range. Sea otter range […]
USGS and NASA Collaborate to Develop New High-Tech Flipper Tag to Study Social Networks of Sea Otters
In the Future of Wildlife Tracking, Sea Otters Have Their Own Social Network Whereas we might carry cell phones or tablets, each sea otter has a small, solar-powered tag clipped carefully to one of its flippers. When the sea otters gather to nap at the ocean’s surface, their tags boot up, and check in with […]
California Sea Otter Numbers Decline, Hurdles for Population Recovery Remain
Abstract: The 2017 census of southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) was conducted between late April and early July along the mainland coast of central California and in April at San Nicolas Island in southern California. The 3-year average of combined counts from the mainland range and San Nicolas Island was 3,186, down by 86 sea […]
Announcing the Sea Otter Awareness Week “#OtterFacts” Prize Giveaway!
In celebration of Sea Otter Awareness Week, we’re giving away some otterly pawesome seaotters.com logo gear! Learn about sea otters, share it with others and you’ll have a chance to win. How to Play: Make sure you’re following @seaottersdotcom on Twitter. Look for our #OtterFacts tweets and retweet them. At the end of the week, we’ll randomly pick […]
California Sea Otter Fund: $3 Million and Counting…
Since it’s inception in 2007, the California Sea Otter Fund has provided critical support for sea otter research and conservation. The Fund has raised over $3 million through the generous and continued support of otter-loving Californians. Each year the Fund must meet a target goal in order to stay on the tax form the following year so please consider making a […]
2016 Sea Otter Survey Results Encouraging, But Hurdles For Population Recovery Remain
Release Date: September 19, 2016 SANTA CRUZ, California — The southern sea otter, Enhydra lutris nereis, continues its climb toward recovery, according to the annual count released today by the U.S. Geological Survey and partners. For the first time, southern sea otters’ numbers have exceeded 3,090, which is the threshold that must be exceeded for […]
Sea Otters Shot and Killed in Santa Cruz County
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement Officials Seek Information to Aid in Investigation The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) are looking for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the shooting […]
Energetic Demands of Rearing a Pup Push Sea Otter Moms to the Limit
A new study conducted by researchers from UC Santa Cruz, U.S. Geological Survey and the Monterey Bay Aquarium finds the energetic cost of rearing a sea otter pup is significantly higher than previously estimated. Just how hard do otter moms work? The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, reveals a sea otter mom’s […]
Yes, Wild Sea Otters Hold Hands
Pawesome! For the first time ever, wild sea otters have been observed clasping front paws (i.e. holding hands). Photo © Drew Wharton
Sea Otter Pup Rescued from Storms by Monterey Bay Aquarium Finds Permanent Home at Shedd Aquarium
CHICAGO – A recognized leader in animal care and conservation, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium announced today that it has welcomed a 10 -week-old orphaned southern sea otter pup (Enhydra lutris nereis) to the aquarium as part of a collaborative partnership with Monterey Bay Aquarium – a leader in the conservation and rescue of the threatened marine […]
