Reward Offered in Killing of California Sea Otter

Defenders of Wildlife
Monday, 11 March 2002

Defenders of Wildlife is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the February killing of a sea otter found in Santa Barbara County.

An examination of the dead sea otter found on Henry's Beach has confirmed that the animal died of a gunshot wound. A lead fragment was found in the otter's skull. Previous rewards remain standing for those responsible for the killing of a sea otter that was found in mid April of 2000 in Santa Barbara County and another sea otter found in September, 2000 in Monterey Bay.

The sea otter is protected under both the federal Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act and has a "fully protected status" under California state law. Currently, the California sea otter population is estimated at slightly over 2,000 animals.

"We are outraged by these senseless shootings. These heinous crimes will simply not be tolerated," said Jim Curland, Marine Program Associate for Defenders of Wildlife. " We hope the reward will be instrumental in identifying the culprits involved and that appropriate legal action will soon follow," Curland said.

In the marine ecosystem, sea otters are considered "keystone species," meaning that their presence or absence has a significant impact on other marine species and marine ecosystems. Sea otters help sustain vital kelp forests by feeding on the shellfish and other plant-eating species that would otherwise consume kelp forests. Kelp forests, in turn, serve as important nursery grounds for many types of fin fishes.

Curland emphasized the importance of public involvement in solving this shooting incident and others that have preceded it, stating, "We hope that anyone with information that could lead to the apprehension of the individual or individuals involved will do the right thing and call the Caltip poaching hotline at 1-888-334-2258." Caltip is a hotline set up through the California Department of Fish and Game and all calls to the hotline can be made anonymously.

Defenders of Wildlife's contribution comes from their Imperiled Predator Reward Fund established in 1998 to bring illegal predator killers to justice.

For more information on California sea otters, please visit www.saveseaotters.org.

Founded in 1905 and supported by 600,000 members in more than 500 chapters throughout the Americas, the National Audubon Society conserves and restores natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife, and their habitats, for the benefit of humanity and the Earth's biological diversity.

Defenders of Wildlife is a leading nonprofit environmental advocacy organization with more than 500,000 members and supporters, especially recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for endangered wildlife, its habitat and biodiversity. Defenders uses education, litigation, research and innovation to advance its mission over the opposition of special interests.

For more information, or to contact Defenders of Wildlife, see their website at: www.defenders.org