Surfers in Santa Cruz, California, have recently fallen victim to a unique crime at sea known as “boardjacking.” The culprit behind these incidents is a female sea otter who confronts surfers, snatching and damaging their surfboards in the process. As the otter’s behavior grows increasingly aggressive, wildlife officials have decided to intervene to ensure public safety.
A spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife stated, “Due to the increasing public safety risk, a team from C.D.F.W. and the Monterey Bay Aquarium trained in the capture and handling of sea otters has been deployed to attempt to capture and rehome her.” The otter, known as Otter 841, is a 5-year-old female who has gained notoriety for her audacious actions and skill in riding waves. However, this situation highlights the consequences of human interference with wild animals, jeopardizing their freedom and, in some cases, their lives.
California sea otters, an endangered species unique to the state’s central coast, were once plentiful, helping maintain the health of kelp forests by feeding on sea urchins. However, due to hunting by early settlers, their population dwindled drastically. Today, there are only around 3,000 California sea otters remaining, many of which inhabit areas frequented by water sports enthusiasts.
Despite the close proximity between sea otters and humans in these areas, interactions between the two are rare. Tim Tinker, an ecologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, explains that sea otters typically fear humans and go to great lengths to avoid them. Instances of sea otters approaching humans are uncommon but not unheard of. Hormonal surges during pregnancy or prolonged contact with humans are some of the reasons otters might exhibit such behavior.
Otter 841’s story is unique. She was orphaned and raised in captivity after humans started offering her squid, causing her to become habituated to their presence. She was then taken to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where measures were taken to prevent her from forming positive associations with humans. However, it appears that she has lost her fear of humans, leading to her interactions with surfers, kayakers, and paddleboarders.
In 2021, Otter 841 was first observed climbing onto watercraft in Santa Cruz. Initially, it was an unusual occurrence, but over time, the otter grew bolder. This past weekend, the otter was seen stealing surfboards on three separate occasions, causing concern among water sports enthusiasts. One surfer, Joon Lee, recounted his terrifying experience when the otter attacked his surfboard, biting off the leash and causing damage. The danger posed by such interactions is real, as otters possess sharp teeth and strong jaws that can harm humans. Moreover, any aggression towards humans by sea otters can result in the otter being euthanized, which further hinders the species’ recovery.
Efforts are underway to capture Otter 841, but her elusiveness has proven challenging. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is urging surfers to avoid her until she can be safely captured. Meanwhile, experts emphasize the importance of reporting encounters with sea otters to the appropriate authorities rather than sharing them on social media. While these encounters may seem exciting, they can be detrimental to the animals’ well-being in the long run.