Shooting of female sea otter with pups now under investigation

The shooting of a female sea otter in Moss Landing is now under federal investigation.

An eyewitness reported seeing the mother of two pups being shot by a boat owner with a pellet gun on Dec. 4th. Fortunately the otter survived.

Michael Murray, the director of veterinary services, at The Monterey Bay Aquarium, said,

“This animal was so small, so weak, and like I said it didn’t have any antibodies from mom.”
He says the abandoned pup was found at South Harbor in Moss Landing. The pup only weighed 2 pounds. The normal birth weight is about 4 pounds.

Murray says that same day, there was no choice but to put the pup down.

“It is difficult, probably the most difficult part as a veterinarian having to put an animal to sleep,” said Murray.

Murray estimated that the pup couldn’t have been more than 24 hours old.

Bay Aquarium officials say that they have a tracking device on the mother otter that was shot. She has been seen since the shooting and seems to be fine. As for the federal investigation into that shooting, Murray says the aquarium isn’t involved, but he doesn’t understand how anyone could shoot one of these animals.

The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife is handling the investigation of the otter shooting. Sea otters are federally protected and the crime is considered a misdemeanor. No arrests have been made.