The southern sea otter “Otter 841” is a moody creature, but also extremely intelligent. Is making waves – literally – on Californian beaches, approaching surfers and forcing them off their surfboards, even jumping on the boards and, in some cases, biting them. This is causing concern among surfers, who are wondering how long it will be before Otter 841 is captured and relocated.
As grumpy as this Sea Otter may be, she’s also generating excitement among teenagers, who are more than happy to share the sea with her. Sixteen-year-old Noah Wormhoudt witnessed Otter 841’s intelligence when she jumped on his board while he was surfing. Impressed by how she caught a couple of good waves, Wormhoudt acknowledges that while her presence may be frightening to some, “to others, she’s incredibly fun.”
However, wildlife agencies have a more conservative stance on the presence of this otter. Gena Bentall of the nonprofit Sea Otter Savvy says close encounters with the creature are “extremely dangerous,” adding that sea otters have sharp teeth and jaws strong enough to crush clams. “Due to the increasing risk to public safety, a team trained in the capture and handling of sea otters has been deployed to attempt to capture and relocate them,” a spokesperson for the department stated.
A plan is currently in motion to attempt to capture Otter 841 with the goal of transferring the creature to a safe location, such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Until then, residents and visitors of Californian beaches must remain vigilant for this brave and adventuresome sea otter.