An examination of the dead sea otter found two weeks ago in Monterey Bay waters has confirmed that the animal died of a gunshot wound. This follows the discovery in mid-April of another otter found shot to death on a beach north of Point Conception. A reward remains standing for those responsible for the killing of this sea otter. The marine mammal is protected under both federal and state law. Foraging habits of sea otters limit the number of shellfish and other plant-eating species which would otherwise greatly reduce kelp forests.
Kelp forests, in turn, serve as important nursery grounds for many types of fin fishes.
Scientists thus believe sea otters contribute significantly to the overall marine ecosystem. Defenders of Wildlife s contribution comes from their Imperiled Predator Reward Fund established in 1998 to bring illegal predator killers to justice. Defenders of Wildlife, with more than 400,000 members and supporters, is a leading nonprofit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation s most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat.