Sea Otters Take Center Stage During Sea Otter Awareness Week
September 28 through October 4
(09/09/2003) - MONTEREY, Calif. -Defenders of Wildlife dives into Sea Otter Awareness Week Sunday, September 28 by collaborating with sea otter researchers, marine institutions, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Monterey Bay area schools to celebrate sea otters and the integral role that they play in the nearshore marine ecosystem of California."Sea Otter Awareness Week is all about educating people on the plight of the southern sea otter, and what they can do to help this magnificent species make a comeback," said Nina Fascione, vice president for species conservation Defenders of Wildlife. "Education is the critical first step in transforming people's affection for sea otters into actions that can help save them and their marine environment."
The celebration, which runs from September 28 through October 4, will include a free public talk given by the worlds' renowned expert on sea otters, Dr. Jim Estes; a presentation at the Monterey Bay Aquarium for local middle school students; another free public talk on sea otter disease by Dr. Melissa Miller, Veterinarian, Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center; and other events targeted towards educating school children and other members of the public on the status of the California, or southern sea otter.
In April, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released its recovery plan for the southern sea otter. The recovery plan identifies the two main threats to the southern sea otter as habitat degradation, which includes oil spills and the impacts from other environmental contaminants, and human impacts, which includes shooting, entanglement in fishing gear, and harassment.
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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, 90,000 in California alone, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues. To stay current on hot topics in wildlife conservation, subscribe to DENlines, Defenders of Wildlife’s electronic update and action alert network. To subscribe to DENlines or for more information on Defenders of Wildlife projects, please visit www.defenders.org.
Contact(s):
Brad DeVries, (202) 772-0237
