Celebrate our furry friends. The sea otter is one of the most endangered and endearing animals.

Name: Sea Otters
Item: Sea Otters
Author: Marilyn

Sea Otters once thrived in the coastal Pacific Ocean from central Baja, Mexico to Alaska. They once numbered nearly one million before international trappers began hunting them for their soft, dense and valuable fur–from the 1730’s, until their near disappearance by the early 1900s.

Since then their population has slowly rebounded. After more than 100 years, only about 3000 southern sea otters live along our central coast.

The sea otter is a keystone species, meaning when it is endangered, other species become threatened. They are caretakers of the kelp forests, helping to keep a balance along its coastal habitat.

LEARN MORE
Watch for Sea Otter Awareness Week in September

Defenders of Wildlife helps Sea Otters by participating in these actions:

The California Sea Otter Fund, a state tax contribution option.
A warning label on “flushable” kitty litter that parasites in cat feces can pass through wastewater treatment and harm sea otters.
A bill to phase out the use of drift gillnets in California waters.
Protected otter road crossing zones in Moss Landing.
Increased protections to expand populations along more of California’s coastal waters.
Partners with Sea Otter Savvy, a program that supports responsible wildlife viewing.
Be Sea Otter Savvy!

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHPKMfUKL6I&list=PLe1gJc8Y5DkWwVv1UZc9cAVKUkxPFx_vy%20?rel=0

Check out 12 Facts about Sea Otters from the US Department of the Interior, then watch the Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otter Cam.

WHERE TO SEE THEM-But DO NOT Disturb!

Elkhorn Slough, Watsonville
Lover’s Point Park, Pacific Grove
Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey
Moss Landing State Beach, Moss Landing
Point Lobos State Reserve, Carmel

HOW TO HELP THEM
Keep the Bay clean: No toxins down the drain and dispose of hazardous waste properly. Use non-toxic, environmentally friendly household cleaners, detergents, personal and body care products. Don’t dump or wash oil or waste into storm drains.

Keep our beaches clean: Join a beach cleanup or habitat restoration event, pick up after your dog, don’t leave trash. Pick up, take your trash with you.

Greenscape your landscape. Avoid hardscapes. Planted areas absorb rainwater which helps reduce runoff into storm drains. Use only organic pesticides and fertilizers.

Buy organic produce. Commercial farms use massive amounts of nitrate fertilizers that make their way to the bay and can cause toxic algae blooms.

Make a donation to the California Sea Otter Fund. Support sea otter research and conservation by making a contribution on your California tax form 540. Look for line 410, CA Sea Otter Fund, under contributions and fill out the amount you wish to donate.

Go see them, but keep your distance. Learn more about ocean issues and share what you learn with others.

Image: “Sea Otter” by Jerry Kirkhart, Creative Commons

Sea Otters

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