The Sea Otter is still terrorizing Santa Cruz surfers and stealing their boards
It’s been two years since the Santa Cruz Sea Otter, known as 841, gained international attention for attacking surfers and their surfboards as a wave-operated ally.
It happens again.
Currently, the identity of the Otter is unclear. That’s because while 841 (who was born in exile) has a blue tag on his privilege hole, this otter is naked.
Experts say the 841 could have chewed through his marker, or they may have broken on their own. Otter Flipper tags are designed to last the life of the animal, but research shows they don’t always last that long.
It is also possible that this is something completely different from the above that you may have watched 841 before, and accepted his curious and courageous character. It could be a relative. Or it could just be this terter with the same appetite for surfboard and drive.
On Thursday afternoon, about a dozen surfers were put up to catch the waves in the twisted hole – under the rocks of Santa Cruz Coastline near the icon of the iconic city.
Mark Woodlard, a Santa Cruz-based Social Media Ofloffencer and dedicated 841 Observerler, said he’s not sure if it’s 841, or someone else.
Otter 841 chews a surfboard after chasing a surfer in santa cruz in july 2023.
(Mark Woodward)
He said the behavior of animals and Mo was almost the same. However, while 841 usually hangs out near the cliffs in 2023, this devil appeared to be spending more time – near the Outshore Kelp Beds.
He saw 841 last year – a marker – visiting the same waters but ended up getting away from people.
The last otter seen on Thursday was on the beach, basking on its back in a kelp bed – wanted by eating delicious orlel, such as crab or abalone, found from the bottom of the sea.
Pelicans ride the cresting waves, and the seal looks at the surfers for a moment before sinking under the surface and disappearing from view.
In the summer of 2023, Federal wildlife officials attempted to capture 841. They send boats, ears and swimming. She evaded all attempts and finally gave birth to a pup, rubbed against her chest as she floated in the water – or placed on top of the kelp as she pulled down to retrieve food. And he stopped chasing surfboards.
Eric Adylin, a spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said the US Fish and Wildlife Service is the Otter-Recring response agency in the case. However, perhaps due to the federal government shutdown, the agency did not respond to questions about the curious otter in Santa Cruz.
Adylin said the federal agency had no plans to “intervene with the sea otter currently interacting with humans in Santa Cruz.”
Research on the California Sea Otter shows that on the central coast, “great personality in diet and behavior.” Another difference is the result of low food availability, which requires intelligent creatures to find different ways to find and retrieve food.
However, the investigators also noted that some behavioral traits seemed to follow family lines, especially those that were “kept in the lines.”
Steamer lane surfers in Santa Cruz on July 13, 2023.
(Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
Otter 841 was born in exile to a captive mother after spending a lot of time interacting with humans and making their water. Since being released into the wild, she has given birth to at least two pups.
According to Woodward, the Otter is now frequented by surfers almost every day since Oct. 16, when he cuts down a surfer named Bella Orduna and steals his board.
To draw water and was served in a wet banquet, Richard Walston, 55, said that he did not interact with a high-level creature – and he is a common border in this area.
“Sure, I see otters,” she said. “But they’re so focused on their food, I’m not sure they even notice we’re there.”
Wildlife authorities urge surfers and boaters to stay away from this time, and others – this will not reduce the chances of contact interactions, which can be dangerous for both people and wages, the law.
