Species Recovery Projects
Sea Otters
Northern Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) lived along the Pacific coast for thousands of years before they were extirpated from Washington and Oregon by intensive harvest for their valuable fur. In 1969–1970, 59 Sea Otters from Alaska were reintroduced to the Washington coast. The population has grown to over 1,000, living along the Olympic Peninsula coast and western Strait of Juan de Fuca. Sea Otters are a Washington state endangered species due to their small population, restricted distribution, and vulnerability. Washington’s Sea Otters are highly vulnerable to oil spills because they inhabit a relatively small geographic area where vessel traffic is steady.
Four Alliance zoos and aquariums (Seattle Aquarium, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Oregon Zoo, and Oregon Coast Aquarium) are assisting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop a Sea Otter disaster recovery plan. Seattle Aquarium and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium also participate in the annual Sea Otter census to track population trends. Seattle Aquarium and Oregon Zoo are collaborating on research into Sea Otter endocrinology and reproduction to help Sea Otter conservation efforts.
