India currently hosts three out of thirteen existing otter species, with the population rates of all three facing rapid decline due to poaching and loss of habitat. Such areas can be made more attractive to otters by establishing “otter havens,” where river banks are planted-up and kept free from human disturbance. Now there are about 3,000 otters in California and sea otters are protected as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. In addition, otters were caught, because they considered them competitors in fishing and shellfish production. Its main threat comes from humans, through habitat destruction, pollution and traffic. Otters are well suited to a life on the water as they have webbed feet, dense fur to keep them warm, and can close their ears and nose when underwater. How to identify The otter is a large, powerful mammal, with grey-brown fur, a broad snout, and a pale chest and throat. 2. Hunting otters for pelts is now illegal, but laws against poaching are difficult to enforce in the areas where they live. The Giant River Otter is classified as “Endangered” in the IUCN Red List (2008) and has been included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species since 1973. Hairy-Nosed Otter. Its fur is the densest of any animal on Earth—an estimated 1 million hairs per square inch. Why are sea otters endangered ? There were about 474 stranded otters in 2016. Estuaries were not even considered in the US fish and wildlife service’s plan for the recovery of the sea otter in California, listed as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act. Today the species is protected under the Endangered Species Act & Marine Mammal Protection Act. They require clean rivers, with an abundant source of food and plenty of vegetation to hide their secluded holts. (2020, November 25). Thanks to the International Fur Seal Treaty of 1911, the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act of the 1970s, California sea otters were able to make a partial comeback — about 3,000 live on the California coast today. They are semi-aquatic, aquatic as well as marine and have few natural predators. Currently, there are only 3,000 sea otters left in the wild, making them heavily endangered. The giant otter is classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This competition has seen brown bears, which are quite adaptable, begin to prey on sea otters. Otter sightings have been reported in various parts of the country. Help protect endangered sea otters from extinction by learning more about this fascinating animal! Giant otters are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and were last assessed in June 2014. If the otter is caught at a young age, it is easy to tame and teach to fish and bring it to the owner. Otters are semi-aquatic mammals that belong to the family called Mustelid. Then there are the huge forest fires in Sumatra and Malaysia, caused by clear felling for palm oil plantations. Other members of this family are weasels, polecats and badgers. CITES is a document ratified by all South American countries. They are also threatened by chemical pollution in the water. November 27, 2017 admintag People chased sea otters because of fur and skin. Hello all; this is my first question, so be nice! Ironically, they are currently protected under the Endangered Species Act in the United States. And research on and monitoring of southern sea otters has dwindled. 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