Population decline last two years
Historically, sea otters have gone from over 1,000,000 to near extinction due to being hunted for their pelts. The population had been increasing due to their protected status until two years ago. The reason for the recent population decline is unclear. Possible
Sea Otter by Mike Baird
causes include pollution contaminating food sources, heavy storms this past winter, shark attacks and decreased kelp. Scientists are currently researching the population decrease but their funding may be cut. For more information read the UPI article Sea otter population declines in Calif. or the S.F. Chronicle article: Sea Otters Taking a Turn for the Worse.
Natural History Wanderings 
It’s scary to think about the enormity of what could happen to such major ecosystems due to climate change. The UPI article called otters a canary in a coal mine, and it’s easy to forget that canaries were used to warn human beings that they too were about to die.
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By: John Wall on August 17, 2010
at 10:13 AM