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Why Japan is Losing Its Sea Otters
Japan’s aquariums used to host a total of 122 sea otters. Here’s why they’re now in danger of disappearing completely.
By Jay Allen
Their cuteness makes them a star attraction wherever they are. But it may not be long before Japanese aquarium visitors find there are no sea otters left to see.
The global otter population
The sea otter (enhydra lutris) is more than just an adorable-looking marine mammal. Environmentally, it’s considered a keystone species. Sea otters cull sea urchin populations, which prevent the urchins from decimating kelp forest ecosystems on sea floors.
Unfortunately, this key species is in danger of disappearing from the planet entirely. Humans hunted otters aggressively for their fur from the 18th century to the top of the 20th. That culled the world population from between 150,000 to 300,000 down to a mere 1,000 to 2,000.
Today, environmental threats such as oil spills also endanger the otter populations. The loss of kelp canopies due to environmental degradation or invasive…
