Photo credit: globalnews.ca
Surfers Encounter Playful Sea Otter Off Vancouver Island
A sea otter has gained attention after being spotted climbing onto surfers’ boards and following them near Vancouver Island. This unusual behavior has led Fisheries and Oceans Canada to remind the public of the importance of maintaining a safe distance from these wild animals.
Footage circulating on social media shows the sea otter chasing a trio of surfers off Whiffen Spit in Sooke, British Columbia, approximately 40 kilometers west of Victoria. Onlookers captured images of the playful otter riding the surf and attempting to board their surfboards, all while the surfers tried to paddle away.
According to Paul Cottrell from Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Marine Mammal Response, the surfers acted appropriately by trying to avoid close contact. He emphasized that wild sea otters can exhibit unpredictable behavior, pose health risks, and may bite if they feel threatened.
“There’s a legal requirement to report any accidental interactions with wild sea mammals,” Cottrell stated, highlighting the importance of safety for both the animals and the public.
Photographer Doug Clement, who witnessed the encounter, noted that the otter stayed in the vicinity for over an hour before moving on. “At first, I thought it was a seal,” Clement remarked. He mentioned that the surfers appeared startled, trying to distance themselves from the otter, which continued to swim closer. “He kept swimming towards them. When they stopped, he would float on his back and just stare at them.”
The otter’s behavior may be seen as rare, yet it aligns with similar incidents observed elsewhere. In California, a sea otter became well-known for chasing surfers and commandeering their boards off the coast of Santa Cruz in 2023.
Cottrell indicated that Fisheries and Oceans Canada is observing the situation in Sooke and may consider relocating the otter if it continues to engage in behaviors that result in negative interactions. “This type of behavior is not typical for a sea otter,” he explained, suggesting this could be the same animal that previously sought interactions with paddleboarders in the area.
To increase safety awareness, Cottrell mentioned that they will keep signage in place to alert visitors to the potential for unusual animal encounters.
Clement speculated that the otter might have been seeking protection from larger predators like sea lions, akin to behavior observed in seals. “I’ve seen that with seals before, where they jump on the boats to get away from killer whales,” he said, suggesting that the otter’s actions might have been a survival instinct.
In a related incident, another sea mammal encounter on Vancouver Island involved a sea lion that wandered onto Highway 4, prompting disturbance as it was safely escorted back to Kennedy Lake by police and Parks Canada officials.
Cottrell commended the appropriate response from authorities in that case, ensuring the safety of both the animal and motorists.
Source
globalnews.ca