SLO COAST JOURNAL MAY ARTICLE

Morro Bay's Otters

by Roe Yeager

A peaceful walk along the path to the rock is shattered by the sound of a scream coming from the middle of the waterway out towards the harbor entrance.  I only see  several otters splashing in the water and the inevitable gulls hanging around them hoping for some leftovers.
It turns out to be the sound of a baby sea otter who is apparently upset that it's mother left it bobbing on top of the water's surface while she dove to get some breakfast. I recognized this sound because when I used to live here years ago and I was walking along the pier in the harbor, I observed a mother otter with her baby on her stomach near the pier pilings.  I was excited to be able to see them so close.
I watched as the mother left her baby at the surface while she dove under the water for food.  Then, out of the middle of nothing came this intense, loud, frightening sound.  This little bundle of fur let out a scream that shocked me and others nearby.  The teeth it had were just as astonishing.  I was completely surprised and probably stepped back at first.  Then I watched as this little one continued to scream, mouth wide open and showing its teeth, until it's mom returned to the surface with breakfast.  Mom quickly nabbed her little one and they moved out to the middle of the waterway and ate in peace.  We could hear her using a tool to crack open whatever she had managed to collect.
I never would have guessed how loud of a sound could come from such a small little sea otter.  It sounded very human, which also surprised me.
Well, the babies are again at the screaming stage as their mom's are now leaving them on the surface to collect food for themselves and their babies. Their screams can be heard for quite a distance over the water and many people stop and look wondering where it is coming from and if some young child is in distress.

Otters Near Boats

Many of the locals are familiar with the sounds while most of the tourists are unable to figure it out.  What everyone does notice is the gathering of the males in the waters sheltered by the boats inside the pier areas. They are the bachelors, who have been told in no uncertain terms, that they are unwelcome near the mothers with their babies.   So they hang out together, probably attempting to determine when they may be able to rejoin the females and live together again with their newly extended family.
I have recently been told that the pier pilings have been stripped clean of the food the otters like to eat.  They seem to be spending more time diving down to the bottom of the harbor waterways to gather the food they need.  I can only hope there is enough for them so their species can thrive here where they have taken up residence for many, many years.
It would be sad to have them move on to other waters, or worse yet, fail to thrive here.  They bring so much joy to the tourists and us locals.  (Yes, I again consider myself a local!)  So many times while out walking they can be seen wrapped up in the seaweed to keep from drifting away, cleaning themselves, and yet other times eating something they have managed to find.  I remember my Mom loving to see them each time I brought her here from Fresno for many mini-vacations.
For me, I will enjoy them while we are all here.  Though I may occasionally do some traveling elsewhere, I hope they will remain, so each time I return they will be here for me to enjoy as a part of this most wonderful area.

There are seven bachelors here at the moment.

I encourage you to log onto the SLO Coast Journal site and enjoy the other articles and information of the Central Coast of California.  It truly is a magical place to be.