Reward Issued for Information Leading to the Arrest in Sea Otter Killing

(03/25/2003) - Monterey, Calif. - Defenders of Wildlife has offered a total of $2,500 as a reward to the witness(es) who provided information that lead to the arrest and possible conviction of the person responsible for the shooting of a sea otter on March 22, 2003 at Montana de Oro State Park near Morro Bay.  According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a suspect has admitted to shooting the otter with a handgun, and the Service,

California Department of Fish and Game, and California State Parks are investigating the incident.

"We applaud the quick and thoughtful actions of any witnesses in providing information that led to finding the suspect," said Jim Curland, Marine Program Associate for Defenders of Wildlife.

An examination of the dead sea otter is pending with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's forensic laboratory in Ashland, Ore.  Previous rewards remain standing for those responsible for the killing of a sea otter that was found in mid April of 2000, in Santa Barbara County, another sea otter found in September 2000 in Monterey Bay, otters found shot in March and August of 2002 in Santa Barbara County, and an additional otter found shot in June 2002 in San Luis Obispo County.

The sea otter is protected under both the federal Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act and has a "fully protected status" under California state law.  Currently, the California sea otter population is estimated at slightly over 2,000 animals.

"This unfortunate incident illustrates that there are members of the public willing to step forward to assist authorities in bringing to justice the perpetrators of such a heinous crime," said Curland.  "Hopefully this sends a message that these crimes will not be tolerated by concerned citizens."

In the marine ecosystem, sea otters are considered "keystone species," meaning that their presence or absence has a significant impact on other marine species and marine ecosystems.  Sea otters help sustain vital kelp forests by feeding on the shellfish and other plant-eating species that would otherwise consume kelp forests.  Kelp forests, in turn, serve as important nursery grounds for many types of fin fishes.

Curland emphasized the importance of public involvement in solving shooting incidents, stating, "We hope that anyone with information that could lead to the apprehension of the individual or individuals involved will do the right thing and call the Caltip poaching hotline at 1-888-334-2258."  Caltip is a hotline set up through the California Department of Fish and Game and all calls to the hotline can be made anonymously

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Defenders of Wildlife's contribution comes from their Imperiled Predator Reward Fund established in 1998 to bring illegal predator killers to justice

For more information on California sea otters, please visit www.saveseaotters.org.

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Defenders of Wildlife is a leading nonprofit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation’s most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat.  With more than 430,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on environmental issues.  For timely information on environmental issues, visit www.defenders.org and subscribe to DENLines, a free e-mail alert newsletter.

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Contact(s):

Jim Curland, (831) 726-9010
Kim Delfino, (916) 313-5809