SANTA CRUZ – Move over Otter 841, a new marauding sea mammal is up to mischief.
Related Articles
Birders beware: Avian flu still a threat in the Bay Area
California bans cat declawing under new state law
Don’t let animals get spooked this Halloween
Remembering the late Jane Goodall’s visit to the Oakland Zoo
Why are so many deer attracted to Oakland Hills neighborhood?
On Wednesday, an otter snagged a board from a surfer at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Fire Department Marine Division said in a statement to this news organization.
The incident recalled the antics of Otter 841, who was photographed stealing a surfboard and even riding a wave in summer 2023. A spokesperson for the fire department said the otter involved in Wednesday’s incident was not identified as 841.
Around 5:06 p.m., emergency responders were dispatched for a report of a surfer who was possibly bitten by an otter.
Lifeguards arrived to find a group of surfers surrounding another surfer in the water, as well as “an otter who appeared to be sitting on the victim’s board,” the fire department said.
The surfer was pulled from the water and evaluated by medical personnel. The fire department said she was not injured or bitten by the otter.
Lifeguards retrieved and returned the board to the surfer.
“Once the equipment was given back to the owner, units were cleared from the incident,” the fire department said.
The city plans to notify the California Department of Fish and Wildlife about the incident.
Check back for updates.
