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A team from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Monterey Bay Aquarium is looking for the otter to catch and rehome her. Unfortunately once the otter is caught, Monterey Bay Aquarium spokesperson Kevin Connor told NPR, she won’t be able to return to the wild.
The animal, officially known as otter 841, was born in captivity — because it’s mother had also been too friendly with humans — and then successfully released into the wild in June 2020, Connor told NPR. It wasn’t until September 2022 that she started exhibiting her bizarre behavior at Steamer Lane.
At the time, CDFW and aquarium staff were able to drive the animal out of the area, a process called hazing, in hopes of deterring her from interacting with people. But her most recent interactions show she’s no longer afraid of humans, Connor said.
Aww. Good luck, silly little otter!