Sea otter (Enhydra lutris) COSEWIC assessment and status report 2007L chapter 1

Common name:
Sea otter

Scientific name:
Enhydra lutris

Status:
Special Concern

Reason for designation:
The species had been extirpated in British Columbia by the fur trade by the early 1900s, and was re-introduced from 1969-72. It has since repopulated 25-33% of its historic range in British Columbia, but is not yet clearly secure. Numbers are small (< 3500) and require careful monitoring. Their susceptibility to oil and the proximity to major oil tanker routes make them particularly vulnerable to oil spills.

Occurrence:
British Columbia, Pacific Ocean

Status history:
Designated Endangered in April 1978. Status re-examined and confirmed Endangered in April 1986. Status re-examined and designated Threatened in April 1996 and in May 2000. Status re-examined and designated Special Concern in April 2007. Last assessment based on an update status report.