Giant otters, endangered top predators which live in Amazon river ecosystems, were nearly wiped out because of demand for their fur. Now there are about 3,000 otters in California and sea otters are protected as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Giant otters are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and were last assessed in June 2014. Sources: Doroff, A. Sea otters are an endangered species. The sea otters get covered from head to tail in oil which permeates into their coat that disrupts the insulation. ScienceDaily. Sea otters live and play in the waters off the Pacific coast. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T7750A21939518. Despite their supreme status, they are endangered species, with an estimated population of only 10,000 to 25,0000. They are semi-aquatic, aquatic as well as marine and have few natural predators. SPEARFISH — The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Commission is anticipated to proposal the removal of river otters from the state endangered species list at its March meeting. The sea otter has increased its population by It is an 81510 acre lot on the Duroche Ranch, and was created by the Nature Conservancy with Ecotropica. Southern sea otters were listed as federally threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1977. Otter Species. Enhydra lutris. This mammal is native to Eastern and Northern coasts of the North Pacific Ocean. Under the ESA, species may be listed as either endangered or threatened. You can find out more about each of the 13 species below and check out their current conservation status in the Red Data List. African Clawless Otter "Threatened" means a species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. Following the banning of fur trade, giant otter numbers have recovered across South America. The sea otter is a keystone species … Sea otters are some of the cutest, smartest, and even romantic animals on Earth. (2020, November 25). It seeks to stop the extinction of wild animals and plants in the United States, other nations, and at sea. & Burdin, A. Moreover, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) is responsible for the protection of sea otters in California and southwest Alaska. Otters are carnivorous mustelids in the Lutrinae subfamily. The Southern Sea Otter & Southwest Stock of Northern Sea Otters in Alaska are both listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. Common Name: Sea Otter Scientific Name: Enhydra lutris Where in Canada: West coast IUCN Status: Endangered. They are one of the few animals known to use tools – they use small rocks to open shellfish. "Endangered" means a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The chart below includes all the animals currently listed under the ESA. During the 18th and 19th centuries, sea otters were hunted for their pelts, and by the early 1900s, the species was believed to be extinct in California. Loss of Habitat A loss of habitat can happen naturally. Otter Species There are 13 known species of Otters left in the world with at least one that was removed from the list due to extinction. Global Conference Bans Commercial Trade in Endangered Otters. People actively hunted for the sea otters’ wool in the 18th century, which meant destructive influence for the species, and sea otters began to occur less frequently and less frequently in the natural habitat. They are threatened mostly by poaching and habitat loss. 2015. The U.S. There are 13 extant species of otter around the world, one of which is native to the UK. Ghost fishing threatens endangered river dolphins, critically endangered turtles, otters. The otters play an important role in controlling sea urchin populations, which would otherwise damage the kelp forest ecosystem. Some of the most endangered species include the blue whale, the North Atlantic Right Whale and the fin whale. Wild animals that are fed can become aggressive. However, there are several emerging threats to this sensitive species. Sea Otters as Keystone Species and their Interaction within the Ecosystem. Departments of Interior and Commerce. An ecosystem – the network of interactions between organisms and between organisms and the environment – is a highly complex and delicate web. Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis), also known as California sea otters, were listed as threatened in 1977 under the Endangered Species Act. Sea otters finally obtained protections with the signing of the International Sea Lion Treaty in 1911, and were included in the List of Protection against Marine Mammals and Endangered Species Laws in the 1970s. But deforestation is the leading cause of extinction in the Amazon Rainforest. Asian small-clawed otters. They are usually found in clean rivers, lakes and coastlines of Europe, parts of Asia and along the Pacific coast. These tiny mammals are endangered … Otters are mammals that are extremely playful and sensitive. North American river otters are likely the most numerous of the otter species. The sea otters in Canada are preserved through Species at Risk Act. Because they are at the top of their food chain, they have few predators. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) listed the southern sea otter population as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1977 and adopted a recovery plan for the population 1982, which was updated in 2003. ... and an example of this is the case of the sea otter. They use their flat, webbed hind feet to swim and As part of this transition, we will expand our federal advocacy for otters under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act and through state environmental laws, such as the California Endangered Species Act. Never feed sea otters or other wildlife. Giant otters are very social animals and groups of up to 20 individuals have been found in forms of Sea otters are the smallest species of marine mammal, and one of the most vulnerable endangered species in North America. ... in Geneva this week decided to ban all international commercial trade in two endangered species of tropical Asian river otters… They are considered the most endangered mammal in the tropics of the new world. Giant otters are an endangered species with fewer than 5000 thought to exist. Sea otters have very low genetic diversity, scientists report. They are regarded as an endangered species by international regulations, and without additional protection, they may become extinct in the near future. As the largest animal on earth, blue whales average 25 metres in length and 140,000 kilograms in weight. In previous assessments, they were listed as Vulnerable (1982-1996) and then Endangered (2000 onwards). An endangered species is a type of organism that is threatened by extinction.Species become endangered for two main reasons: loss of habitat and loss of genetic variation. Endangered species are vanishing and ecosystems cannot adjust fast enough. Today the species is protected under the Endangered Species Act & Marine Mammal Protection Act. The sea otter is a marine mammal whose scientific name is Enhydra lutris. The Sea Otter has a small round face that is absolutely adorable. Otters are members of the Mustelid family which includes badgers, polecats, martens, weasels, stoats and mink. University of Exeter. Of about 300 species of freshwater mussels in North America, about 10% are already extinct, Inoue said. Sea Otter The Northern Pacific Ocean is the primary location where you will find the Sea Otter. It is unclear how many otters still exist in Britain, but numbers are gradually increasing in some areas. Sea otters today are considered a species that is endangered. Finally, a sanctuary for Giant Otters and other native endangered species was created in 1995. Unlike the smooth-coated otters seen a lot on the mainland, such as Bishan or Marina otters, the Ubin otters are of a different species called the Asian small-clawed otters. You can find out more about each species in “Otters of the World” available at the Ottershop. Deforestation is not the only thing that causes animals to become endangered or extinct, climate change, illegal hunting, and contamination are also playing a role in destroying habitats and endangering animals. 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