Like any great comeback story, this one starts with a struggle. 🌊 Sea otters have been missing from Oregon’s coast for over a century—hunted to near extinction for their luxurious fur. But now, thanks to a $1.56 million grant, these adorable marine guardians are set to make a long-awaited return!
“This whole effort is a mission of hope,” said Robert Kentta, a Siletz Tribal Council member and board member of the Elakha Alliance, the nonprofit leading the charge. 🦦
🌱 Why It Matters
Sea otters aren’t just cute—they’re keystone species that help keep the ocean healthy. By feasting on invasive sea urchins, they protect kelp forests, which in turn provide habitat for countless marine creatures and help absorb carbon from the atmosphere. In short, more otters = a stronger ecosystem.
With this grant, tribes and scientists will team up to identify the best locations along Oregon and Northern California’s 800-mile coastline for reintroducing the otters. They’ll also work on public outreach to explain why bringing back these furry ocean protectors is so important.
“They’re the guardians of the kelp forest,” said Jane Bacchieri, executive director of the Elakha Alliance. And with climate change threatening ocean life, we need these guardians now more than ever. 🌿🌊
What do you think—should we do more to restore lost species in nature? Reply and let me know!
