Sea otters are a keystone species whose recovery from near-extinction requires ongoing management of oil spill risk, shark predation, and disease.
Sea otter welfare is intertwined with environmental health. Oil spill oiling causes rapid hypothermia and death as their fur's insulating properties are destroyed. Acanthocephalan parasite infections cause fatal peritonitis in a significant proportion of California otters - a painful death. Shark bites cause traumatic injuries and death. Recovery continues but at a slow rate due to habitat limitations and ongoing mortality causes. Oil spill preparedness and response capacity directly determines welfare outcomes during disasters.