Surfing Sea Otter Joins Surfers in B.C., Sparks Safety Warning
A sea otter was spotted riding a surfboard in Sooke, B.C., leading to safety reminders from authorities about interactions with wildlife.
Sooke, B.C., Sea Otter, Surfers, Wildlife Safety
SOOKE: A sea otter recently made waves by climbing onto a surfboard and following surfers off Vancouver Island. This unusual behavior has led Fisheries and Oceans Canada to remind folks to keep their distance from these wild animals.
Social media was buzzing with photos and videos of the otter hanging out with three surfers near Whiffen Spit in Sooke, which is about 40 kilometers from Victoria. The otter was seen riding the waves and even trying to hop onto a surfboard, much to the surfers’ surprise.
Paul Cottrell from Fisheries and Oceans Canada mentioned that the surfers did the right thing by trying to avoid the otter. He pointed out that wild sea otters can be unpredictable and might carry diseases. Plus, they can bite if they feel threatened.
Interestingly, the otter stuck around for over an hour, according to photographer Doug Clement. He initially thought it was a seal and noted how the surfers were clearly trying to keep their distance.
Clement described how the otter would float nearby, watching the surfers, and then follow them whenever they paddled away. It’s a rare sight, but not the first time something like this has happened. Earlier this year, a sea otter in California gained attention for chasing surfers and commandeering their boards.
Cottrell mentioned that they would keep an eye on the situation in Sooke and might consider relocating the otter if there were any negative interactions. He also noted that this behavior isn’t typical for sea otters, and it might be the same one that tried to interact with paddleboarders in the area last fall.
Some speculate that the otter could be seeking refuge from predators like sea lions, which is a behavior seen in other marine animals. In a related incident, a sea lion recently wandered onto a highway on Vancouver Island, causing a bit of a traffic jam before being safely escorted back to the lake.
Overall, it’s a reminder to respect wildlife and keep a safe distance, even when they seem curious or friendly.