Southern Sea Otter Research Alliance
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What is the Southern Sea Otter Research Alliance?
The Southern Sea Otter Research Alliance is an informal, collaborative team of researchers from U.C. Santa
Cruz, U.C. Davis, Monterey Bay Aquarium, U.S. Geological Survey, California Department of Fish and
Wildlife’s Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
These six primary institutions, with help from other organizations and federal, state and municipal agencies,
have established a diverse and highly effective research program focused on conservation and recovery of the
threatened southern sea otter and its ecosystem. Emphasizing an ecosystem-based approach to solving the
problems facing southern sea otters, the alliance goes beyond a single species perspective to look at
community level interactions and land-sea connections that are relevant for the health of all coastal species,
including humans, and to the stability of the near-shore marine ecosystem.
Member websites & information
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Seaotters.com: www.seaotters.com
Seaotters.com is an education and outreach initiative dedicated to raising awareness about California’s
threatened sea otters and the role research plays in the species recovery and conservation. It’s a
collaboration of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, U.C. Santa Cruz, U.C. Davis, U.S. Geological Survey,
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, among others.
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U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Ecological Research Center:
www.werc.usgs.gov/Project.aspx?ProjectID=91
Our scientists are conducting long-term research in California and Alaska seeking to answer complex
ecological questions. We work with state, federal and local partners throughout the species’ range,
utilizing tools and expertise from ecology, chemistry, geography and other disciplines.
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California Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care & Research Center:
www.dfg.ca.gov/ospr/Science/marine-wildlife-vetcare/index.aspx
Staff and collaborators conduct research on southern sea otters and other marine wildlife and manage a
primary care facility for sea otters affected by oil spills or other marine pollution events. This website
contains information on a variety of subjects, including oil spills, marine safety, and laws and regulations.
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: www.fws.gov/ventura/species_information/so_sea_otter/index.html
The Mission of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: working with others to conserve, protect and enhance
fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
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Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Research and Conservation program:
www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/sorac.aspx
We rescue, treat and release injured otters; raise and release stranded pups through our surrogate
program; provide care for sea otters that can’t return to the wild and conduct scientific research.
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University of California, Santa Cruz: http://ims.ucsc.edu
Scientists in this group are internationally recognized for developing unique field and lab techniques to
investigate wild populations of marine mammals, marine birds and raptors.
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University of California, Davis: www.seaotterresearch.org
The University brings together videos and information on sea otter daily life, mating and population
status, as well as the latest research and the scientists studying them.
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Friends of the Sea Otter: www.seaotters.org
FSO, founded in 1968, is committed to and advocates for the conservation of sea otters and the
preservation of their habitat through education, research, and policy decisions that will ensure the longterm survival of this species.
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Southern Sea Otter Research Alliance
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Where to see sea otters
In person:
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Elkhorn Slough at Moss Landing: www.elkhornslough.org
Drive down to Jetty Road at Moss Landing State Beach and check out the raft of otters!
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Sea Otter Exhibit at Monterey Bay Aquarium: www.montereybayaquarium.org/efc/otter.aspx
See the otters swim and dive, and stay for the exciting feeding shows!
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Seymour Center display: http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/
Check out the website for more information about this upcoming exhibit on sea otters!
Online:
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Seaotters.com: www.seaotters.com/live
The world’s first HD live stream of California sea otters in the wild.
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Friends of the Sea Otter/Elkhorn Slough Reserve live webcam: www.seaotters.org/ottercam
Watch live otters now in real time!
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Olive’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/OlivetheOiledOtter
Olive the sea otter was found covered in oil and was successfully rehabilitated and released. Follow Olive
on Facebook to learn more about her and see raw footage of captures and tracking!
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Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otter Exhibit webcam: www.montereybayaquarium.org/efc/efc_otter/otter_cam.aspx
If you can’t make it, watch the otters online!
Videos:
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PBS Nature, “Saving Otter 501”: www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/saving-otter-501/saving-otter-501/8446/
This is the story of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s attempt to save their 501st live-stranded otter. From
her discovery as a stranded newborn pup crying on the beach through her rehabilitation in roof tanks atop
the Aquarium, NATURE follows as Otter 501 learns how to dive, hunt, eat and fend for herself in the
wild, where survival is a long shot at best.
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Otter 501: http://otter501.com/
This tale of how 501 got a second chance at life parallels the story of Katie, an aspiring marine biologist
who discovers the orphaned otter and becomes a volunteer at the Aquarium. Blending original footage
and the tools of social media, Otter 501 is a unique hybrid of fact and fiction that takes the traditional
wildlife documentary into a new style of storytelling.
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Sea Otter Behavior: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ2Lrnr0gLc
7-minute video: Sea otters are fascinating to watch. Learn to interpret their behaviors as Katie joins a
seasoned naturalist out on the water.
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Sea Otter Captures: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnLcdp5mKVQ
This video shows underwater footage of specially trained divers capturing a southern sea otter. Scientists
study the sea otters biology and the ecological health of the California Coast.
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“Threatened: The Controversial Struggle of the Southern Sea Otter”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTIQnnvYbqQ
After being brought back from the brink of extinction, sea otters are once again in peril. Like crime scene
detectives, teams of scientists are anxiously searching for the causes of the mysterious deaths.
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What’s Killing the Sea Otters: http://science.kqed.org/quest/video/whats-killing-the-sea-otters
Sea otters have fought back for 75 years from near-extinction, but now their population has mysteriously
stalled.
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Southern Sea Otter Research Alliance
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Classroom Resources
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Friends of the Sea Otter:
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Kids Zone: www.seaotters.org/kidszone
A fun place for young kids to color sea otter art, play word games and watch some funny videos!
Also learn how you and your students can make a difference by taking action!
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Class Curriculums: http://seaotters.org/pdfs/curriculum.pdf
*Please copy and paste the link above if the webpage does not open properly.
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The Inner Otter: http://theinnerotter.ucsc.edu
Packed full of information and detailed pictures of the biology, anatomy, physiology, disease and
pathology affecting the southern sea otter. This website is a great resource for higher-level science
and anatomy classes.
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Monterey Bay Aquarium:
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Classroom Resources: www.montereybayaquarium.org/efc/efc_otter/otter_teacher_resources.aspx
Teaching activities, classroom resources and interactive games provided by the teacher resources
program of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
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Teacher professional development opportunities: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/lc/teachers_place
Join us in standards-based, hands-on professional development experiences designed to help you
bring the ocean and its inhabitants into your classroom.
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CDFW & OSPR Infographics: https://calspillwatch.dfg.ca.gov/FactSheets/tabid/68/Default.aspx
On this website you will find “Did you know” factsheets containing information and graphics relating to
several topics including sea otters, oil spills and kelp forest health. Factsheets are in English and Spanish.
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Defenders of Wildlife: www.kidsplanet.org/tt/seaotter/maps.html
These lessons include both individual and group learning activities and are designed to integrate reading,
writing, social studies, and technology into your science curriculum.
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National Park Service: www.nps.gov/glba/forteachers/classrooms/sea-otters-lesson-plans.htm
This website contains background information on sea otters and 3 fun classroom activities.
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