All About (Sea) Otters

Despite the smoke in the air, the recent “blue sky” times at the Oiled Wildlife Care Network have allowed us to focus on advancing our level of preparation for the (unfortunately) inevitable next oil spill. One of our areas of focus, along with our colleagues at the OSPR Marine Veterinary Lab, has been the complicated world of sea otter responses.

With their playful demeanor and what can only be scientifically described as “adorable” appearance, sea otters are one of the charismatic species in California. Take Otter 841, who became a news sensation after earning a reputation for stealing surfboards in Santa Cruz. Sea otters are a keystone species, as they are fundamental to maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems, such as kelp forests. Southern sea otters (the subspecies found in California), were hunted to near extinction in the 1700-1800s, and are now protected under the Endangered Species Act. Although recovery efforts have been successful, these species remain highly vulnerable to environmental disasters, especially oil spills.

Unlike most marine mammals, sea otters do not have a thick layer of blubber to keep them warm. Instead, they rely on their resistant fur, which is the densest of any animal, with up to one million hairs per square inch. The dense fur traps a layer of air close to the skin, providing insulation against the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean. When oil contaminates a sea otter's fur, it causes matting, resulting in loss of insulation and ultimately hypothermia. Sea otters are also meticulous groomers, spending a significant portion of their day cleaning and maintaining their fur. When their fur is coated with oil, otters ingest the toxic substance while grooming. Ingested oil can cause a range of internal issues, including damage to the digestive tract, liver, and kidneys and even lung disease. Additionally, oil ingestion disrupts the sea otter's ability to absorb nutrients, which in combination with increased energy spent on excessive grooming, can lead to malnutrition, a weakened immune system and decreased reproductive rates.

Efforts to rescue and rehabilitate sea otters after an oil spill are complex and resource-intensive. This is where OSPR and OWCN come in. We have extensive written protocols in place, however preparation over the last year has focused on logistics including reconnaissance and recovery app testing, identification of specialized personnel, facility walk throughs and identification of necessary equipment/sourcing of said equipment. My personal favorite part of the planning process has been bringing together experts from The Marine Mammal Center, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Aquarium of the Pacific, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and University of California, Santa Cruz, in addition to the OSPR and OWCN teams. Even though we can’t prevent and don’t know when the next big oil spill may happen, we CAN prepare to provide the best achievable capture and care of California’s beloved oiled sea otters. 

(1) Photo from AN ANALYSIS OF CALIFORNIA SEA OTTER (ENHYDRA LUTRIS) PELAGE AND INTEGUMENT. Williams, Thomas D; Allen, D Diane; Groff, Joseph M; Glass, Robert L ISSN: 0824-0469 , 1748-7692; DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.1992.tb00120.x Marine mammal science. , 1992, Vol.8(1), p.1-18