Sea otters nearly went extinct from the fur trade and continue to face threats from pollution, disease, and shark bites, while playing a critical role in kelp forest ecosystem health.
Sea otters oiled in spill events experience a profound welfare crisis. Their dense fur loses insulating capacity when contaminated, causing rapid hypothermia in cold coastal waters. Grooming to remove oil causes ingestion of toxic compounds. Rehabilitating oiled otters requires intensive hands-on care including fur cleaning with dish soap - a prolonged, stressful process for wild animals. Shark-bitten otters that survive initial attacks often suffer from wounds that prevent effective hunting, leading to starvation over weeks. Despite these challenges, recovered populations demonstrate that conservation and welfare efforts pay off.