Posted July 18, 2023 by: Admin #Animals

An otter in the coastal regions of the USA has become the unexpected subject of a widely-publicized BOLO – an unusual but serious occurrence. This otter has become known for its aggressive behavior towards surfers and even for having the audacity to steal their boards, prompting Californian authorities to take action to put a stop to its actions.

The famous otter, a 5-year-old female, recently made headlines in the US press for a series of repeated acts of piracy. Her hunting ground of choice is the surfer’s paradise of Santa Cruz, not far from the bustling city of San Francisco, where she has been on the rampage for several weeks. But in recent days, the otter’s brazenness seems to have reached new heights.

A video that surfaced on Twitter this week has further reinforced the otter’s infamy. It shows a bold sea otter nonchalantly climbing onto the board of a frightened surf enthusiast, who valiantly attempts to fend off the furry intruder. Despite the surfer’s efforts to rotate his longboard to counter the otter’s advances, the resilient mammal clung tenaciously, even biting the foam object.

California authorities took the matter seriously, as the otter’s actions went from mischief to potential danger for surfers and the otter itself. In response to this unusual situation, they undertook to capture the otter and transfer it to a more suitable habitat, to ensure the safety of all concerned.

Dangerous bites

Authorities are taking decisive action in response to the recent increase in aggressive encounters. Recognizing the growing risk to public safety, a highly specialized team, trained in the capture and handling of sea otters, has been mobilized by the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife. Their mission is to capture and safely relocate these creatures to a more suitable environment, as confirmed in a statement to AFP on Wednesday.

Once on the brink of extinction in the North Pacific due to fur hunting by American settlers until the early 20th century, sea otters have made a remarkable recovery. Today, their population in the region stands at 3,000 individuals. Although sightings of sea otters are rare, American surfers, kayakers and sailors can catch a glimpse. These charming creatures, whose adorable heads protrude from the surface of the water, are often perceived as endearing. However, it is essential to remember that otters are in fact skilful predators and their bites can be perilous, as scientists point out.

Contact with humans

This female’s mysterious actions off the Santa Cruz coast continue to intrigue experts. Local scientists know her well, as she was born in captivity and raised by a mother who had lost her natural fear of humans due to her frequent interactions with Californians. The New York Times reports that the staff at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, charged with caring for her before releasing her back into the wild, took extreme precautions by donning masks and ponchos to avoid reinforcing the same behavior.

To break the cycle and prevent her from becoming too accustomed to human presence, the aquarium’s dedicated team took every possible measure to maintain a healthy distance and minimize any influence on her natural instincts. Nevertheless, its current actions and behavior remain a fascinating enigma that intrigues scientists and the public alike. By continuing to observe and study this intriguing female, experts hope to gain valuable insights into the complex relationship between wildlife and human interaction.

Despite the diligent efforts made when she was released, the female sea otter began to adopt a worrying behavior a year later. Gradually, she began to approach humans, turning into an unexpected threat to the seas. Joon Lee, who encountered the sea otter last Sunday, shared his harrowing account with the Los Angeles Times. “I was terrified,” recounted the software engineer, describing the moment of the attack. “I tried desperately to swim away, but the otter managed to bite my leash – the rope connecting my surfboard to my ankle – and I felt a surge of panic.”