Sea otter numbers up, but so are deaths [a progressive's glass is NEVER half full]

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | August 21, 2012 | Peter Fimrite

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The California sea otter, whose luscious coat was so coveted by fur traders that the species was nearly wiped out, is holding steady in its west coast sanctum despite a record number of deaths, including an alarming uptick in shark attacks.

.... The number of bite wounds found on the otters, almost all of which appear to be from great white sharks, were perplexing to scientists considering that only 339 of the toothy predators were recently counted in local waters, far fewer than researchers expected.

In addition to the increase in adult otters, there were also more otter pups in areas where they were rare, including 10 pups southeast of Point Conception, the highest on record, according to the report.

...."This is good news," said Brad Hunt, the program manager for the Otter Project. "The raw sea otter count and three-year average are both up, and the pup count is the third highest on record. These increases all occurred during two record years of mortality."

Tinker said he too is cautiously optimistic, but believes the local otter population should be growing faster than it has considering how much open habitat there is along the California coast.

Researchers say little can be done about natural predation. Instead, they insist, regulators should be working to reduce human-caused otter mortality, including boat strikes, pollution and toxic algae blooms that form in stagnant fresh water and then flow out to the ocean.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Early in 2011 - March 6th, 2011: "A recent decline in California sea otter population, yielded an unlikely cause: shark attacks. We say unlikely, because the sharks don’t actually eat the sea otters, but the bites are enough to cause a kill. The decline is seen both in the adult and pups population. But Dr. Melissa Miller of the California Department of Fish and Game says that sharks are not the only cause.

“We know something’s happening where otters that are prime-aged animals are dying of heart failure,” Miller said. Heart failure might be caused by toxic runoff says Tim Tinker of the U.S. Geological Survey. In a continuous effort to revive the sea otter population, researchers are capturing otters and are looking at any precursors to various disease or signs of malnutrition. Hopefully, findings will provide some insight and direction for future efforts."...... Source

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THE NUMBERS ARE UP from a year ago even though more kills are attributed to sharks. Time for progressives to turn the green screws a bit tighter. No?

[abb]

I am reliably told that all of God’s living creatures, plant or animal, have a 100% mortality rate.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Correct!

There also is safety and better odds in numbers.

[Vaquero]

I treasure my otter troopers cap made by Alaskan Eskimos and purchased at one of their trading posts for me by my brother in law.

warmest hat you could possibly own....I wrap it with an orange ribbon and wear it hunting on real cold days.

[ryan71]

“We know something’s happening where otters that are prime-aged animals are dying of heart failure,” Miller said. Heart failure might be caused by toxic runoff says Tim Tinker of the U.S. Geological Survey.

Laughable. Did Tim Tinker (the government thinker) ever consider that great white shark attacks might be causing sea otter heart attacks? Kill all great white sharks.

[Shimmer1]

A great white shark chasing me would certainly give me a heart attack!

[SargeK]

"... an alarming uptick in shark attacks."

Huh. Big apex predator adapts to newly abundant rich food source. Who'd a thunk it?"

[chessplayer]

Laughable. Did Tim Tinker (the government thinker) ever consider that great white shark attacks might be causing sea otter heart attacks? Kill all great white sharks.

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Great white numbers are declining, along with other shark species. People may hate sharks, but they serve a purpose as predators. Thats why God created them.

[Kozy]

“Researchers say little can be done about natural predation. Instead, they insist, regulators should be working to reduce human-caused otter mortality, including boat strikes, pollution and toxic algae blooms that form in stagnant fresh water and then flow out to the ocean.
“
Must install otter lanes in the water similar to bike lanes on land. This will force boats to maintain a safe distance from the otters.

Drain all stagnant ponds in 15 miles of coastline.

Force all manufacturing that has left California to leave so this is no pollution in California.

If pollution is from human waste, purification or water run offs, eliminate the source. Have the people join the businesses and leave California or all homes now must have an out house and curb side collection of waste.

All white sharks must attend a political correctness class reprogramming them from otters which are protected to tuna which are not as a food source. Eating otters will be a hate crime punishable by fine and prison time.

There that should do it.

[wbill]

Must install otter lanes in the water similar to bike lanes on land

You had me, until I read the rest of your post. :-) LOL!

The hallmark of good sarcasm is that it's just close enough to the truth to be believable.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

A larger population would have more deaths, unless you live in Disney Land where nothing ever dies.

[JimRed]

They are a food source for great whites and killer whales. More food attracts more predators.

[SkyDancer]

The way a progressive looks at it, the glass is always full. Part liquid the rest air.

[randita]

outdoor ping

[Wombat Ark]

Unlike many humans, sharks GO WHERE THE FOOD IS! (I sure miss Sam Kenison....)

[GreenHornet]

Somebody has to say it: “Oh, the Huge Manatee!”

[stocksthatgoup]

We all got to go sometime. But it might be a good idea to check for toxins emanating from CHINA. PCBs LEAD etc