I know how much yall like to blame stuff like this on the bear. But again it wasn't me.California Sea Otter Numbers Continue to Sink

U.S. Geological Survey
Federally protected sea otters continue to disappear from the California coast at an alarming rate. A recent U.S. government count reveals the population of Southern, or California, sea otters has fallen to 2,139 animals, almost 7% less than in 2000, a loss that will have a ripple effect on the area's marine ecosystem.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) counted the sea otters this spring in a survey area of roughly 375 miles of California coastline, from Half Moon Bay to Santa Barbara. The count in 2000 was 2,317, while the spring 2001 count totaled 2,161 animals. The population reached a modern-day peak of 2,377 sea otters in 1995, but has since declined by an average of 1.4% per year.

Although all sea otters in the United States are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), Southern sea otters are the only species also listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). They have also been afforded "fully protected status" under California state law.

The HSUS and other organizations, however, are concerned that the population is not receiving the actual protections due under law. This is largely because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has failed to complete an up-to-date recovery plan—which is required under the ESA—for approximately 20 years. Although two drafts of the plan have been distributed for comments, neither has been finalized despite the continued decline in the Southern population.

According to the USGS, this decline is further evidenced by a relatively high number of dead otters who have washed ashore since 1995. As of May 2002, biologists had already documented 92 strandings. "Of special significance is the loss of young and prime age adults needed to replace mature otters. Young adults are dying at a high rate," says Dr. Jim Estes, a research ecologist at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center in Santa Cruz.

Reasons for this decline appear to include exposure to contaminants (which contributes to disease), entrapment in fishing gear (both nets and traps), habitat degradation, and starvation due to depleted food resources. The population faces the additional threats of an increased risk of oil spills and exposure to oil and gas development and exploration.

What's more, the otters are being illegally shot. The most recent incident occurred near San Simeon in San Luis Obispo County. The HSUS and other organizations have offered a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the killing of this and three other dead sea otters found since 2000.

Yep the Otter's are going down.

Fucking otter-hating assholes.

Paisley said:

I know that you are just joking and all, but that story is nothing to giggle about.

IceNine said:

:LOL: :LOL:

SexLovely said:

IceNine said:

I agree it's a sad story I hate to see any animal or mammal die, I was just teasin you cause you have an otter for your avatar.

I am telling you that Santeria shit is scary...

sag10 said:

00769BAD said:

What are U batting yr eye-lashes at boy???

Cant U see there are Otter's 2 save and an angry IceNine 2 hide from here???

SexLovely said:

Grabs a seat a sits down. This is about to get good.

SexLovely said:

boy..?

...

you might as well crack a whip across his back and ask him what his name is...

...

SuperC said:

Pulls a chair up beside SuperC...

That documentary about Otters just about 2 start is it?

SexLovely said:

no need to get comfterable there... THAT'S THE HOT SEAT!!!
i thought we had been down this road before SEXY...
you'ld rather hang with the weiners winners team,
run rabbits and bark at the moon...
boi, (ain't that how y'all say it???)

00769BAD said:

HOT SEAT??? I thought I could smell burning plastic...my pants are ruined now.

Have we been down this road before? I didnt think we had spoken 2 each other before...
How do U do sir? Nice 2 meet U...

I dont know no weiners who train rabbits 4 racing and (for some retarted mental reason) bark at the moon...

I was just curious as 2 why U fluttered at me. Im very sensitive U see...

I spelt it boy cuz I dont know how good yr vocabulary is and I thought if I put boi U might think it was french and get confused i dunno...

SexLovely said:

please to meet cha...
You never have to worry 'bout my vocab you lil groupie
i can understand alot more than i can give you credit for.
after all i have other gay friends, and alot of women that i listen to.
i didn't flutter my eyes at you
i was giving you a helpin hand in communicating with your
pottnah, after all that was all that was missin from your comment.

I dont know what it is about otters they freak my ass out, their the ugliest little bastards I've ever seen.

lol that was such a scandalous pumb

Christopher said:

HUH?

Paisley said:

what does pumb spell backwards ?

Christopher said:

I didn't do anything but respond to the thread.

say it isn't so!

EllisDee said:

SuperC said:

Scoot over dammit!

SexLovely said:

:LOL: :LOL: