The Spunky Surfboard-Stealing Sea Otter Is Back

An unusually aggressive sea otter that made quite the splash last summer is back hanging out off the coast of Santa Cruz.

The fearless 6-year-old female, known as southern sea otter 841, earned infamy for stalking surfers and biting boards. Wildlife officials believed her bullying was from surging pregnancy hormones, but now that her pup is grown up, she could be resuming her reign of terror for people in the Pacific Ocean.

Vanessa E. Morales, a communications specialist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ventura office, said in a statement that they’ve been responding to reports of the otter approaching surfers and kayakers in the area, and people are being warned to steer clear.

The furry fugitive returns

Sea otter 841, who was born in an animal care facility but raised with minimal human contact, was spotted by Mark Woodward, a photographer that goes by Native Santa Cruz, over the weekend after not being seen for some time.

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Woodward snapped several photos of the otter enjoying the water, breaking open a snack, and being admired by onlookers onshore.

She had given birth to, and successfully raised, a pup over the last few months and mostly avoided humans while she was caring for the baby, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service.

But now that sea otter 841 is back, so are some of her similarly unusual behaviors. Wildlife officials are responding to reports of her approaching people in Santa Cruz again, Morales said in a statement.

While there are no immediate plans to capture her, or at least attempt to again, people are being encouraged to keep their distance.

Woodward didn’t immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.

What to do if you’re approached by an otter

Sea otters should naturally avoid interacting with people, so if one does get a little too close for comfort, that’s considered abnormal behavior.

“It is your responsibility to avoid and discourage these interactions,” the Fish and Wildlife Service said in a statement.

The first step is to be aware of your surroundings and the wildlife you’re sharing the water with.

If a sea otter seems to be making eye contact, that means you’re too close and should move back. A good rule of thumb is to keep your kayaks and surfboards at least 60 feet away and pass by them moving slowly in a parallel direction.

Never try to pet or feed a sea otter, they could become aggressive and end up being removed from the wild.

If one starts coming closer or following you, you’ll want to be as large and loud as possible. Wildlife officials recommend waving your arms, slapping your paddle, and even splashing water toward the animal.

If all else fails and a sea otter is about to climb on board, use a paddle or another object to give them a gentle push back into the water.

“Federal laws protect sea otters, and harassing or injuring a sea otter is illegal,” the Fish and Wildlife Service said in a statement. “However, a gentle nudge with your paddle is acceptable if needed to protect yourself and the sea otter from harm.”

You can also rock the platform to make it unstable, but you should never try to move the otter with your hands. And as soon as it’s safely back where it should be, you need to leave the area immediately.

These tips apply for your furry family members too — sea otters can easily injure or even kill a dog.

You can find more information on how to be a good sea otter steward here.