Surfboard stealing outlaw Otter 841 is in fact a mother, USFWS confirms

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) - It is official! Everyone's favorite surfboard pirate has given birth to a pup, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirms.

Wildlife biologists suspected Otter 841 was pregnant during her rampage through the Santa Cruz waters, but were unable to capture her to confirm that. Hormonal surges related to pregnancy have been known to cause aggression in female southern sea otters, said USFWS

While this is all very cool and exciting news, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reminds people to give Otter 841 and her baby the best chance of survival by giving them space. "Any attempts to approach from the water could be detrimental to their survival."

TheUSFWS suggest the following:

• Be alert: Be aware of your surroundings and alert to nearby wildlife when recreating. 
• Maintain a safe distance: If a sea otter notices you, you are likely too close and should back away. 
• Keep at least 60 ft. (or five kayak lengths) away, passing by parallel rather than pointing directly at any animals and moving slowly but steadily past rather than stopping. 
• Slow down: Take caution in areas where sea otters are known to be present. Watercraft should slow down around kelp forests, where sea otters often rest but can be difficult to see. Be aware that a sea otter may come up from underwater unexpectedly.    
• Keep pets leashed: Keep pets on a leash on and around docks and harbors, and never allow interactions, even if the animals appear to be playing. Look for a designated pet beach as an alternative. 
• Never feed sea otters: Feeding otters can cause them to become aggressive which could result in their removal from the population and placement in an animal care facility. 

Southern sea otters are protected by the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and California state law. It is illegal to do any of the following: unauthorized harassment, hunting, capture, or killing of these animals.

Getting near enough of a sea otter that it changes its behavior could be viewed as a violation of the above laws and can result in penalties. That includes up to $100,000 and potential jail time up to one year, said the USFWS.

Otter 841 and her pup will be continually monitored by biologists. Currently, there are no plans to capture either Otter 841 or her pup.

841+1 update. They were a bit too far offshore for good photos, so excuse the quality of these. The pup actually looked bigger today and was much more active. I saw her swimming alongside side mom and at one point, 841 held her close and did barrel rolls, probably to get the pup… pic.twitter.com/3Ow5bB6YwY

— Native Santa Cruz (@NativeSantaCruz) October 28, 2023

Otter 841 seemingly becomes mother after being spotted with a pup

Mama 841? Santa Cruz's favorite girl might now be a mom!

Resident photographer and the man who has taken photos of the surfboard stealing 841 from the start of summer, Mark Woodward/Native Santa Cruz, says he could see her with a pup on Tuesday.

“When I first spotted her I realized I let out a little shriek,” said Woodward. “I almost felt like I was going to cry because it was so emotional. I kept looking through my lens and I was able to see the blue ID tag that she has and confirmed that it was 841.”

Woodward’s been following Otter 841’s journey. He said over the last several weeks he noticed her belly getting bigger. But what keeps bringing Woodward out to West Cliff Drive?

 “I lived in Santa Cruz my whole life and I take a lot of photos of wildlife,” said Woodward, “I realized a couple of months ago, 841 was the first wild animal that I have photographed and keep seeing her. I know it's her.”

Woodward loves photography and has taken multiple pictures of 841. Feeling like he’s developed a connection with her. He describes her personality as rebellious. 

Even months later, people are still coming out here to look for Otter 841. they're using their phones, cameras, and binoculars to trying and catch a glimpse of her 

David Christy came out with his binoculars to look for 841.

“Since 841 had 841's plus one, I decided to come out today,” said Christy. “I saw it on Twitter last night and I said I had to check it out. .”

With the news of 841's pup spreading, there is concern that people could disturb the otter's home.

What worries me are tourists or locals that want to get close by getting on a paddle board or kayak,” said Woodward. 

Both Woodward and Christy urged people to look at the otter and its young baby from a distance. 

Southern Sea Otters are protected under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and California state law. KION reached out to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife about what the plans are for Otter 841 moving forward.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife told KION they are working on figuring out if Otter 841 had a baby and are continuing to monitor her behavior.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife also said that there are no plans to capture the otter at this moment.

Breaking news and a major announcement! I’m happy and proud to announce that 841 has given birth and has a baby with her! pic.twitter.com/eD5N29nknL

— Native Santa Cruz (@NativeSantaCruz) October 25, 2023

Where is otter 841? People in Santa Cruz wonder about the future of the aggressive otter

Otter 841 is known to roam off West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. Since June, the otter has been catching a lot of attention because of its aggressive actions and even biting surfboards.

Since then, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has been responding to those reports. Two months later, and people are still curious about the otter.

"It sparked my interest to find out, you know, what's the next step with which you get to do next is you get to come back and you get to be captured. Where are they going to do?" said Yvette Bradstreet who lives in the Bay Area.

Isaac Mancini surfs near where the otter was spotted several times a week but says he has not seen the otter in a while.

Since the otter has not reportedly been violent in recent weeks, people say the search should be called off.

"I feel like, you know, if this is their home, Then they should still have access to their home," said Aren Saunders-Gonzalez.

"They should just ensure that the otters safe in its ecosystem. It's ultimately if that's here, that's what that means. And if that means putting up more signs and making sure surfers are aware of what's going on and the space around them, that's what matters of the end of the day," said Ranna Zahaei from Saratoga.

While others say, it should continue.

"Yes, it still is bothering people. They're going to end up having to do something about it," said Greg Kolar from Santa Cruz.

"I think they should capture her because she's very aggressive and it could be dangerous for surfers and other people," said Bradstreet.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife website, if the sea otter isn’t captured, efforts may be suspended or halted entirely.

KION reached out to the FWS but has not heard back on whether the search for Otter 841 has reached an end.

If the otter is ever captured, it will undergo a health assessment and eventually be re-homed in a zoo or aquarium, FWS said in a previous statement.