The California, or southern, sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) is the only sea otter subspecies currently listed as an endangered species under the federal Endangered Species Act. The California sea otter is also a “fully protected mammal” by California state law and by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. In the 1700’s, the sea otters were hunted to near extinction for their fur. In the late 1930’s, a small population of otters (estimated at approximately 300) was …showed first 75 words of 662 total…

…showed last 75 words of 662 total…home range and moved to San Nicholas Island, one of the Channel Islands 60 miles off the coast. The project was stopped when it was determined that the sea otters were not remaining and thriving in the new area. Since stopping the project in 1990, fewer than 25 of the 140 translocated sea otters remain at San Nicholas Island. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is presently finalizing a new plan to aid in saving the sea otter.