Watch Sea Otter Attack Surfer And Steal His Board
A sea otter attacked the surfboard of a local surfer and it was caught on video
A surfboard-stealing sea otter has been making waves with her antics along the coast of Santa Cruz, with video footage from the most recent encounter doing the rounds on social media. In the 45-second clip, Otter 841 is seen grabbing a surfer’s board and munching down on its surface as the person attempts to shoo her away.
A sea otter attacked the surfboard of a surfer and it was caught on video.
In another instance, a surfer had to abandon their board to a group of otters, sea Otter 841, playfully riding the wave before being rescued by a sailing catamaran. According to onlookers, the scene resembled a tiny, furry rendition of the movie Jaws, with the otter stubbornly refusing to let go of the boards, even when surfers try to flip or splash her off.
Otter 841, a five-year-old female sea otter, belongs to an endangered species found in central California. Wildlife officials have been tracking her movements due to her unique behavior. However, while it may seem harmless, these playful interactions can result in chunks being taken out of the boards, and she may eventually pose a danger to humans.
While Otter 841’s previous board hopping incidents were not a major concern, her recent bold behavior necessitates immediate action.
Moreover, locals have observed an increase in her aggressive behavior over the past weekend. Concerned about the safety of surfers and the welfare of sea Otter 841, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have become involved. Efforts to safely capture and relocate the otter are underway in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Once captured, sea Otter 841 will be transferred back to the aquarium before being relocated to a suitable long-term home. While the otter’s behavior is unusual, it follows a familiar pattern. According to experts via USA Today, this type of interaction occurs following positive encounters with humans, which cause the sea creatures to lose their fear of people.
According to Gena Bentall, a sea otter biologist specializing in protecting these animals and their habitats, when a wild animal loses its instinct to avoid humans, it often begins as a harmless experience for humans. Bentall explains that in the case of Otter 841, she jumps onto surfboards and stays there for a while, creating a positive association over time.
However, while it may seem harmless, these playful interactions can result in chunks being taken out of the boards, and she may eventually pose a danger to humans.
Bentall emphasizes that such behavior can have severe consequences, especially for more dangerous animals. While humans may suffer a bite, the outcome for the otters is removal from the population. This is now the fate that awaits sea Otter 841. The mother of the otter is a prime example of the same situation.
Known as sea Otter 723, she was taken out of her natural habitat due to behavior linked to human interaction. She was raised in captivity after being orphaned and became too comfortable around people due to feeding, leading her to return to the aquarium. While Otter 841’s previous board hopping incidents were not a major concern, her recent bold behavior necessitates immediate action.
Sea otters, including the endangered California otter population, play a vital role in marine ecosystems. Historically, these sea creatures were significantly affected by the fur trade, resulting in a significant decline in their numbers. Despite a slow recovery since the 1970s, only an estimated 3,000 California sea otters remain.
To ensure their conservation, federal officials urge people to maintain a safe distance from sea otters and refrain from feeding them, which can encourage aggressive behavior.
