They're an iconic sight along the touristy coast of Monterey and Pacific Grove: sea otters lazing on their backs in the kelp beds, snacking on shellfish or grooming their luxurious fur. But not much is known about how otters use Elkhorn Slough, the less glamorized waterway near the power plant in Moss Landing.
Scientists with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, U.S. Geological Survey, UC Santa Cruz, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve hope to change that with a three-year study of otters in the slough.
The researchers aim to capture 10 otters at Elkhorn over the next two weeks, give them physical exams, take biopsies and implant radio transmitters that can also record temperatures.
After tagging and tracking the otters, the team will study their diets and, funding permitting, examine the connections between otter health and pollution in the slough.
Southern sea otters are a federally threatened species. Sea Otter Awareness Week begins next Sunday, Sept. 22, and coincides with Otter Days at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.