The Return of the Beach Celebrity Who Took Surfboards... US Surfers Say "Welcome Back"

Celebrity "Sea Otter 841" at Santa Cruz Beach, USA
Last year, gained attention for playing with surfers
Disappeared after giving birth... Reappeared, sparking joy

An otter known as a 'celebrity' at Santa Cruz Beach in California, USA, has ended its reclusive lifestyle and returned, causing surfers to be both tense and welcoming. This otter's name is 'Otter 841,' who gained attention last summer for biting and stealing surfers' boards. Recently, local media such as the LA Times reported that "Otter 841 was spotted swimming leisurely at Steamer Lane, a famous surfing spot in Santa Cruz."

[Image source='Native Santa Cruz' X capture]

Dustin Mulvaney, a local resident and environmental science professor at San Jose State University, posted a photo of Otter 841 on his social media, announcing its return. Other surfers have also shared images of 841 riding on their surfboards, expressing their delight. Otter 841 became a famous animal last summer for its humorous standoffs with surfers over boards. T-shirts and bags featuring 841 as a model were even produced. However, it had not been seen since December last year, causing concern among people.

Otter 841 was born to a mother otter at the Monterey Aquarium who could not adapt to the wild. It lived with minimal human contact before being released into nature in 2020, but over time it began approaching people. Despite its cute appearance, it sometimes showed aggressive behavior by baring its teeth. Its habit of stealing surfers' boards can also pose dangers in the ocean.

In response, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) attempted to recapture it, but each time Otter 841 skillfully escaped the human encirclement, gaining fame as a 'mischievous' character. The number of tourists visiting the beach to see Otter 841 also increased.

[Image source=Photo by Dustin Mulvaney X capture]

Scientists at the time predicted that Otter 841's approach to humans was due to hormonal changes related to pregnancy. In fact, in October last year, Otter 841 was spotted giving birth and raising its pup, drawing renewed attention. Local photographer Mark Woodward posted on social media, “841 was seen with its pup. When diving to find food, it left the pup on the water surface and returned, and it even smiled proudly as if showing off its small pup.”

However, California authorities warn against intentionally approaching Otter 841. They emphasize, "Otters need to eat 20-30% of their body weight daily to maintain body temperature, so conserving energy on the water surface is crucial for their survival. Approaching otters in the water can threaten their survival."

Otter 841 is a Southern sea otter, an endangered species protected under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act and California state law. It is currently known that only about 3,000 remain along the California coast.