Despite perils such as oil spills and high-speed ferries, the bay has plenty of safe spots for this charismatic threatened species Sea otters are also at increased risk of diseases and parasites contracted from animals on land. And sea … They help kelp forests to flourish by keeping sea urchin numbers under control. We HAVE to help! 5. The sea otters at the Vancouver Aquarium were rescued when they were just babies. Now that you know how vital a sea otters’ role in the ecosystem is and why they’re threatened we want to let you in on 12 simple steps that will help to maintain and hopefully increase sea otter populations. …and dispose of it properly. Like other members of this family, they have very thick fur. Sea otters help keep ecosystems in balance by eating sea urchins in kelp forests and crabs in estuaries. People actively hunted for the sea otters’ wool in the 18th century, which meant destructive influence for the species, and sea otters began to occur less frequently and less frequently in the natural habitat. Please see our Bay Area map. The water runs very slowly through a drip system into the ground, getting where it needs to be and not running off wastefully. …and participate in events as a volunteer. The sea otter can usually be found in kelp beds, and looks very much like lumps of kelp. Make sure you pick up used fishing line and hooks! Oil Spills. 6. When sea otters are underwater foraging for food, they make use of the loose skin under their armpits, using the area like pockets to store food as they continue their search. If one raft of 200 males were to be caught in an oil spill, this would greatly reduce the fertility of the sea otter population moving forward, and likely have significant population trauma many years into the future (Environment Canada, 2011). Dispose of them in the garbage, or some pharmacies have collection days. Otters have some interesting relatives. Pick up after your pets. Instead, use Integrated Pest Management practices (google it and find many excellent, organic suggestions). Although the efforts to protect these animals continues to increase, there are many things you can do to help save the sea otters. Sea otters floating in kelp. The roots take in water, reducing the amount of runoff. Instead, use permeable pavers to allow rainwater to sink into the ground and replenish groundwater. They are a keystone species, essential to the ecosystem, and they are facing some serious threats! Fewer sea urchins in turn help prevent kelp forests from being overgrazed. The River Otter Ecology Project is a registered 501 (c)(3) EIN #45-4997526 non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of river otters and our watershed. We can’t denied that the lack of attention towards sea otter is also become the threats to sea otter. It’s unnecessary unless you live in Flint, it’s wasteful of oil, it adds plastics to the system, and it’s less regulated than you might think. Sea otters help keep ecosystems in balance by eating sea urchins in kelp forests and crabs in estuaries. 1) Reduce the amount of storm drain pollution and kitty litter flushed down toilets. How you can help southern sea otters. The return of sea otters to historic habitats can restore ecosystems and bring economic benefits, but hungry otters can also threaten the food security of remote indigenous communities. …and collecting rainwater in a cistern/rain barrel! In the protected environment of a zoological park, scientists can examine aspects of otter biology that are difficult to study in the wild. Sea otters were hunted to near extinction during the maritime fur trade of the 1700s and 1800s. Make sure it’s working properly; have it inspected every 2 years. The mission of the giant otter research team is to understand if and how the demography, behaviour and health of giant otters are affected by the recent changes to their habitat. Sea otters can also drink salt water and thus can remain at sea for several days at a time. In theory, yes. Dispose of hazardous wastes properly. …and speak out, both locally and nationally. Take a walk, watch birds, find out what animals, plants and other living things live there. Scientists from the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI), in cooperation with other facilities and volunteers, coordinated efforts to rescue and treat sea otters affected by the 1989 oi… Reduce, reuse, and recycle whenever you can. They keep sea urchin populations in check, which allows kelp to flourish and provides habitat for a host of other species. …your favorite environmental organizations financially, please do! …and speak out, both locally and nationally. 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