Officials Contemplate Fate of Famous Sea Otter After Surfboard Theft

Nick Ericksen, a surfer from Santa Cruz, was surfing at Steamer Lane in September when a creature protruded from the water and snatched his board.

He was relieved to learn that the animal was the famous sea otter that had been released into the wild by authorities instead of a shark.

Ericksen struggled to regain the board after losing it to the sea otter. The otter curled up on Ericksen's board and rode a few waves like a native from Santa Cruz would.

The Famous Otter

It turned out that the otter in question was a familiar 4-year-old female born in captivity that frequently visits the area.

Conflicts between sea otters and people are uncommon, even though about 70 otters are known to congregate along the coastline of Santa Cruz with kayakers, surfers, and other beachgoers.

Federally protected as an endangered species, California sea otters are typically wary of people.

But this otter was unique because she had been spotted in the area approaching kayakers and surfers.

Why?

Colleen Young, an environmental scientist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said that it might have been fed by a person in the wild, forging a favorable association with people.

It's also possible that her behavior changed as a result of hormonal fluctuations.

Although according to Daily Mail, this sea otter was pregnant at the time, the peak pupping season for California sea otters begins in October.

Dangerous for Both Humans and Sea Otters

Sea otters have very sharp teeth and very strong jaws, as Young warned. Damage from a sea otter bite can be extensive.

Additionally, some diseases that sea otters carry can be transmitted to humans. The pathogens that cause brucellosis, toxoplasmosis, and coccidioidomycosis-also known as valley fever in humans-are among them.

For otters, approaching people too closely can have negative effects.

If sea otters threaten public safety, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is required to remove them from the wild. In fact, the Marine Wildlife Veterinary Research Center in Santa Cruz received this sea otter's mother specifically for this purpose several years ago.

The sea otter known for stealing surfboards was therefore born in captivity.

Although this young otter was released into the wild when she was old enough, if she gets into any further trouble, she might find herself back in captivity.

Read also: Toxic 'Forever Chemicals' Found in British Otters Linked to Fatal Illnesses 

Under Observation

According to KSBW 8 Action News, the otter even chased the rescuer and then Ericksen during the ordeal.

Since the incident, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has been closely monitoring the otter.

The agency tried to move the sea otter a little early to her wintering grounds south of the border, where there are much fewer surfers, even though her behavior hasn't yet called for her removal from the wild.

However, the otter managed to escape after that attempt. Instead, officials hazed the sea otter by making a commotion. She hasn't shown any more interest in swimmers or surfboards since that time.

The agency has put off moving the otter for the time being in anticipation of the otter's continued good behavior.

If everything goes according to plan, the otter will spend the upcoming weeks foraging, resting, grooming, and generally having a good time in Santa Cruz before moving on to her wintering grounds in the south, Bay Nature reported.

Related article: 5 Disturbing Facts About Sea Otters: They're Not as Cuddly as They Seem