Otter Oddities
Out of all the different weird things that may happen around shores…Sea otters taking over visitors’ surfboards was not a case that people expected.
In Santa Cruz, a city in western central California, there have been many reports of otter encounters while staying at a surf spot. Not only are they spotting otters, but the otters also swim near surfers, try to chase them away, and even hijack surfboards for their own use.
Even though a few accidents were reported in this absurd situation, this is not the first time these incidents have happened. In fact, they trace all the way back to 2023, when the female otter, commonly known as 841, became the founder of “surfboards” in the otter “civilization.” However, as this may be true, it is not, and cannot, be confirmed that the culprit is the once viral otter, as researchers can’t be sure, despite 841 having been pinned with a colorful tag, “… her tag may have since fallen off, or this is a different otter,” the Monterey Bay Aquarium had said.
As otters continue to engage with humans, it underscores the need for both sides to find a way to cooperate. Aquatic sport enthusiasts need to be aware of their responsibilities, and otters need to be kept at bay.
As 841’s swiping and defensive actions targeted toward humans were considered normal, as she was pregnant at the time, “It is still generally considered rare for otters to approach people on or in the water, whether on a kayak, paddleboard, or surfboard, but not unheard of in other locations as well,” the Monterey Bay Aquarium explained.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the lead agency responsible for managing incidents involving southern sea otters and other marine animals, has stated that otters may act aggressively toward people if they feel their territory is being threatened. “If a sea otter approaches you, it may be an indication that they are defending their space. It is your responsibility to avoid and discourage these interactions,” the agency reminded.
The agency has also warned that if people encounter otters while on a surfboard, they should not try to photograph, pet, or feed the otters. Instead, they should be loud, make splashes, and wave their arms to try and scare it away, and engage if necessary, without harming the otter.
Despite the recent disagreements, otters and humans should both try to coexist. Humans are only guests in the ocean, and guests are to respect it.