Posted on 07/12/2023 1:23:18 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Following a number of incidents involving a particular sea otter acting aggressively towards surfers in Santa Cruz, California Fish and Wildlife are looking to capture it.
The sea otter, which is often sighted near West Cliff, can easily be identified by the blue tag on its left fin. Although no injuries have been reported, Fish and Wildlife said the sea otter is on their radar and that a team of trained experts are working to capture it. It’s a 5-year-old female that was born in captivity, according to Fish and Wildlife. They added that her mother had been removed from the wild for aggressive behavior towards people as a result of being fed by the public.
On Sunday, a fourth incident happened between a surfer and the sea otter. Local photographer, Mark Woodward who saw it all happen, says that was the fourth time he’s seen the otter act aggressively with surfers.
“I thought, it's like, okay, it's behaving itself,” said Woodward. “And it went straight into the line of the surfers and literally went board to board, you know, taking bites of different surfboards until it settled on the one bright board and decided it wanted to ride that."
In the video, you can see the otter biting the surfboard, even climbing on top of it while the surfer tried to shake it off.
Santa Cruz resident, Nicholas Freedman rushed down to help the surfer out of the water when he saw him struggling to get out, as waves crashed up against him. “He was like trying to figure out how to like, climb up slippery rocks. I was like, give me your hand! And we connected hands, and I pulled him up,” said Freedman. “I don't know what I'd be more afraid of if I was getting bashed on the rocks or getting bit by a wild animal.”
The surfer, Joon Young, said that it was just his third time surfing and probably his last.
Warning issued after sea otter seen going after Santa Cruz surfers
In other news, the Soros DA in Santa Cruz isn't asking for bail on the sea otter.
He shouldn’t otter do that................
Ping
Maybe just angry about being mis-assigned at birth.
The raccoons of the sea.
I saw this perp at a local McDonalds starting a brawl with otter guys.
'Member editors? Pepperidge Farm 'members.
I would have cracked up if this was the article, but the picture was a shark.
Otters are one danger.
We all know we once nearly lost Jimmy Carter in the rabbit incident that shook the nation to its core.
I especially like the one with the Easter Bunny guy in the suit with Jimmy and Rosalyn.
It was the guys third time surfing and he said he’s giving it up after this. I have friends who surf on a beach getting inundated with hipsters who are starting to surf because it’s the cool thing to do now. I have a feeling my friends would tell the otter thank you for your service.
Hey, Dude. That’s my wave!
I thought it was the cool thing to do in 1962.
Not just any ottercraft would do. Safety first!
Hahaha. I had otters and seals climb on my long board when I use to surf in Santa Cruz. They were just lazy and wanted to sit there. Never got attacked by a sea otter.
"We at Delta House are great afficionados of the surfing sport. May the court grant us our natural rights to pursue such endeavors."
- Otter
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