Surfboard-biting sea otter in Santa Cruz avoids capture. Biologist explains behavior, next plan

>> I CAME OVER HERE AND EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT. I WAS VIDEOTAPING A CUTE LITTLE OTTER AND EVERYONE SAID THAT IS 841. >> THE SURFBOARD BITING SEE HONOR IN SANTA CRUZ HAS ONCE AGAIN EVADED CAPTURE. >> I AM FRUSTRATED AND EXHAUSTED. >> COLLEEN YOUNG IS ONE OF THE DIVERS ON THE CAPTURE TEAM FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE. THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM STAFF. OFFICIALS ARE RESPONDING BECAUSE THIS FIVE-YEAR-OLD FEMALE OTTER IS SHOWING CONCERNING AND UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR BY APPROACHING PEOPLE. >> WE DO NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE THAT FREQUENTLY TO KNOW EXACTLY HOW TO CAPTURE AN ANIMAL WITH THIS SET OF BEHAVIORS. WE ARE TRYING TO BE AS ADAPTABLE AND CREATIVE AS WE CAN. >> THIS MISCHIEVOUS OTTER HAS QUITE THE HISTORY. A SPOKESPERSON SAID THE OTTER'S MOM WAS RESCUED IN SANTA CRUZ. THE MOM HAD REPORTS OF APPROACHING PEOPLE ON KAYAKS AND BOATS BUT NOTHING TO THE EXTENT THAT HER DAUGHTER, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS OTTER 841, HER RESCUE NUMBER. >> SHE IS FOCUSED ON THE FINS. WE DO NOT WANT TO HAVE A PERSON ACCIDENTALLY BIT. >> OFFICIALS SAY WHEN SHE IS CAPTURED SHE WILL UNDERGO A HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND EVENTUALLY RE-HOMED IN A ZOO OR AQUARIUM. A LOCAL SURFER SAID THAT IS A SHAME. HE HAD A SAY FOR THAT SAID KEEP 841 FREE. >> EVERY TIME HUMANS COME ACROSS NATURE THE DOES NOT ACT THEIR WAY WE HAVE TO PUT IT IN A CAGE OR TAKE A SUMMER. THIS IS WHERE SHE BELONGS. THIS IS OUR HOME. WE CAN SHARE IT. >> WILDLIFE OFFICIALS SAID THEY HAD CREWS OUT ON FRIDAY AND IT WILL KEEP TRYING UNTIL THEY CAPTURE HER. >> THE OCEAN IS HER HOME AND EVERYONE ELSE IS A VISITOR. UNLESS EVERYONE ELSE IS WILLING TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER, WHICH IS UNLIKELY, CAPTURING HER IS

Channel: ABC7 News Bay Area

Views: 11,892

Keywords: news, abc, abc7news, sea otter 841, sea otter steals surfboard, santa cruz sea otter, sea otter capture, sea otter surfing video, Fish and Wildlife sea otter warning, west cliff drive, otter paddleboard, cowell beach sea otter, otter on surfboard, surfing otter, cute animals, animal video

Id: qFSpNwgc6o8

Length: 2min 19sec (139 seconds)

Published: Sun Jul 16 2023