Under protected status, the sea otter population began to increase in some areas, scientists in the 1960s and 1970s transplanted sea otters from areas that were growing to those that had no remaining sea otters. This effort had mixed results. Ninety-three (93) sea otters were transplanted from Alaska to Oregon in the 1970s. Today, there is no evidence of any survival. Vancouver Island (British Columbia) which had no remaining sea otters in the late 1960s is an example of success. Eighty-nine sea otters were transplanted between 1969 and 1972. Today the population is estimated to be at least 1,500+. There are other such successful histories for Washington state, southeast Alaska, and San Nicolas Island (approximately 60 miles west of Los Angeles).
Today, the sea otter is no longer on the Endangered Species list. However, it is protected under US laws. The California subspecies (Enhydra lutris nereis) has been listed as "Threatened" since January 14, 1977. Amazingly, records indicate that the California subspecies was down to a mere 50 animals and there was much fear that it would not survive. At this time, the northern subspecies (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) is being considered as an addition to the Endangered list. Through protection laws and treaties, and some assistance from mankind, the sea otter has survived extinction. Hopefully, we have learned from our history, and other creatures will benefit from this knowledge. We still have much to learn about our indirect effect on plants and animals. ("Sea Otter Life At Sea" 1999).
Habitat and Migration.
The sea otter rarely goes onto land (where he can be quite clumsy and slow) and likes to make his home in kelp forests and within a mile of Northern Pacific coastal waters. The sea otter does not eat kelp, but uses it to wrap himself up so that he can rest and not be concerned with floating away. Generally, the sea otter is a lone creature, and although it does congregate with others in "resting rafts" this seems to be out of convenience and coincidence rather than socially.
