For more than a century and a half, sea otters were relentlessly hunted for their fur, which was highly prized by the fur trade. By the early 1900s, sea otters had been hunted nearly to extinction, with only a few hundred individuals remaining in isolated pockets of their former range.
Loss of Habitat
Sea otters rely on kelp forests for food and shelter. However, kelp forests have been disappearing at an alarming rate due to a combination of factors, including pollution, climate change, and overgrazing by sea urchins. As a result, sea otters are losing their habitat and their food source, making them even more vulnerable to extinction.
Pollution
Pollution in the ocean can have a devastating impact on sea otters. Oil spills, sewage discharge, and other forms of pollution can contaminate the water and the sea otters' food supply, leading to disease and death. Pollution can also damage the kelp forests that sea otters rely on for habitat and food.
Predation
Sea otters have few natural predators, but sharks, killer whales, and bald eagles occasionally prey on them. However, these predators typically do not pose a significant threat to sea otters.
Disease
Sea otters are susceptible to a variety of diseases, including bacterial infections, viral infections, and parasites. Some of these diseases can be fatal, especially to young sea otters. Disease outbreaks can also spread rapidly through sea otter populations, decimating their numbers.
Climate Change
Climate change is also impacting sea otters and their environment. Rising ocean temperatures are causing the kelp forests that sea otters depend on to decline. Additionally, melting ice caps are reducing the sea otters' habitat and making them more vulnerable to storms and other extreme weather events.