Surfers in Santa Cruz, CA have a recurring wildlife threat when they are catching waves, and you might be surprised to learn it’s not a shark. A 5-year-old female sea otter has been terrorizing surfers in the area with repeated attempts to swipe their boards. With the board theft by this otter initially reported in September, she most recently made another attempt this past weekend. Santa Cruz local Mark Woodward (@NativeSantaCruz) captured this attack on video and shared the warning across social media.
This unique behavior seems to be hereditary for this sea otter. According to KTVU in conjunction with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the otter’s mother was captured following aggressive incidents with locals. The sea otter was discovered to be pregnant, and she gave birth to the current thief while in captivity. The pup was released at an appropriate time and has been closely monitored by biologists. Although the mother’s behavior was attributed to having been fed by humans, CDFW has not determined a cause for this otter’s aggression.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in association with this sea otter. She has left numerous bite marks on surfboards, proving her aggression should not be taken lightly. Surfers are encouraged to not engage the otter if she approaches and to keep distance from any otters in the area. CDFW and the Monterey Bay Aquarium are actively attempting to capture this otter. If you encounter this otter while in Santa Cruz, please contact CDFW. Let this be a reminder once again to not approach wildlife of any species.
Unofficial Networks will continue to track the status of this sea otter and other surfing news. In the meantime, you can check out the initial news coverage of the first reported incident below.
Photos and Videos Courtesy of Mark Woodward and KCAL