Endangered Sea Otters Resurface in Japan: Tourists Beware!

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Once upon a time, Japan faced a major sea otter crisis along the eastern coast of Hokkaido, and you can blame it all on those pesky tourists!

According to Asahi Shimbun on Sunday (July 28), experts estimate that over 50 wild sea otters are now frolicking in the area.

Thanks to various conservation efforts, the sea otter population has bounced back to around 130,000 across the North Pacific Ocean since the 2000s. Yay, conservation!

A Russian research survey found that sea otter numbers have skyrocketed in the Habomai Islands, part of the disputed Northern Territories off Hokkaido’s coast, also claimed by Russia. Politics, am I right?

As the sea otter population boomed in the Northern Territories, the eastern coast of Hokkaido also saw a spike in otter sightings. Double yay!

Kaoru Hattori, a marine mammal expert from Japan’s Fisheries Research and Education Agency, mentioned that the otters are mainly hanging out from Nemuro to Kushiro, about 100 kilometers apart if you draw a straight line. Talk about a long beach day!

These otters, along with their adorable pups, ventured from the Habomai Islands to find new dining spots along Hokkaido’s eastern shores.

Back in the day, the North Pacific had around 150,000 to 300,000 sea otters until the 18th century. But alas, rampant fur hunting dwindled their numbers to about 2,000 by the early 20th century. Fashion tragedy!

Now, Japan faces a new headache: tourists with drones. These buzzing gadgets scare the sea otters, causing them to dive back into the ocean, only to return after six months. Thanks, tech!

Tourists love flying drones near otter packs from the cape, and when the drones get close, the otters freak out and bolt into the water. Panic mode: activated.

Cape Tofutsu in Hamanaka, Hokkaido, also known as Kiritappu, overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is a popular spot for otter sightings, making it a photo op goldmine.

In response, Hamanaka City put up signs urging tourists not to fly drones in the area. But do they listen? Nope, they swarm in with their buzzing contraptions.

Yoshihiro Kataoka, head of the local nonprofit Etopirika Foundation, is researching ways to protect marine animals.

The tourists apologized, claiming they didn’t notice the signs. So, Kataoka revamped the signs with bold colors and fonts to make them pop.

If people get too close to the sea otters, they might abandon their pups, even though they need to care for them. So, tourists, keep your distance and admire these cuties from afar with warm fuzzy feelings.

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