VIDEO: Sea otter stuns Californian surfers by attacking them and stealing boards

Surfers along the California coast have recently been facing a new threat in the water, and it's not sharks. A five-year-old sea otter has been causing trouble by attacking surfers and stealing their boards, sometimes even damaging them with its paws.

Warning signs have been erected by the US Fish and Wildlife Service along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, stating: "Aggressive Sea Otter in This Area." Surfers are advised to "enter the water at their own risk" and to "keep away from marine wildlife".

Otter 841 causing menace in the area

Last year, there were a few reports about this aggressive sea otter, but the attacks have recently become more frequent. The otter, named Otter 841, has been showing hostile behaviour towards surfers. It forcefully removes them from their boards, takes the boards for a ride, and often damages them.

One surfer, Joon Lee, who was attacked by Otter 841, expressed his fear and stated that he does not plan on surfing again, according to media reports. However, experts highlight that such aggression from sea otters is highly unusual and rare.

Otter 841 well-known among local otter experts

Experts remain uncertain about the reason behind Otter 841's surfboard-stealing tendencies. Otter 841 is well-known to local otter experts. Her mother was raised in captivity, released into the wild, and later recaptured when she started climbing onto kayaks in search of food. During her time in captivity, she gave birth to Otter 841, who was raised by humans at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

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Despite efforts to prevent her from developing strong bonds with humans, Otter 841 has seemingly lost the fear of humans. Reports of her interactions with surfers, kayakers, and paddleboarders began emerging after a year of her release into the wild.

Otter 841 to be recaptured

Due to the increasing risk to public safety, wildlife officials have decided to recapture Otter 841. A team from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Monterey Bay Aquarium trained in handling sea otters will attempt to capture and relocate her.

The decision to recapture Otter 841 has been made not only to protect surfers but also for the otter's own well-being.

California sea otters, also known as southern sea otters, were once abundant along the California coast but were pushed to the brink of extinction due to aggressive fur hunting in the 19th century. With only around 3,000 remaining today, they are still considered an endangered species.

So far, Otter 841 has managed to evade capture.

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