A sea otter is being treated for a suspected shark bite at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The otter is believed to the the same one who made headlines recently when spotted in the waters off Yaquina Head.
The male otter was hauled ashore to the Newport facility, in coordination with the US Fish & Wildlife Service and Marine Mammal Stranding Network. He was found to have limited mobility, poor fur quality and multiple wounds. The aquarium says he was emaciated as well. The otter is being treated and monitored. Though he’s alert and accepting food, his prognosis is unclear.
Sea otters were hunted to extinction in Oregon and there hasn’t been a population off the coast here since the early 1900s. When the otter was spotted near Yaquina Head recently, it was a big deal for fans of the charming furry mammals.
