Marine Mammals of the Pacific 8/05

A Sea Otter's Prayer: Thank you Mother Nature for allowing us to survive the humans for one more year. This is no joke. We humans very nearly eradicated this beautiful animal from the face of the earth. Once plentiful along the Pacific coast, by 1911 they were almost hunted to extinction for their fur. (The otter above is actually cleaning its incredible fur coat that traps air and keeps it warm in chilly ocean waters.) Less than a thousand remained when the international hunting ban was signed.

The population is now estimated to be around 150,000 worldwide. That little oil spill caused by the Exxon Valdez killed 5,000 in one swoop. The southern population, found off the coast of California, consists of a mere 2,000 individuals (including this one) but appears to be in a state of decline. So it wouldn't hurt for us to say a prayer for the amazing sea otter as well. (or contribute to their protection). and now, marine mammal number TWO .....

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