Once hunted to near extinction, California sea otters are not just surviving—they're thriving and healing their coastal ecosystem in the process. From a devastating low of just 50 individuals in 1938, these playful marine mammals have bounced back to over 3,000, and their return is creating ripples of positive change throughout Monterey Bay. The otters are doing something remarkable: they're restoring coastal habitats simply by being themselves. By munching on sea urchins that would otherwise devour kelp forests, the otters are protecting these vital underwater ecosystems. Kelp forests provide shelter for countless marine species and help absorb carbon dioxide from our atmosphere. It's a beautiful example of how protecting one species can heal an entire ecosystem—and give us all hope that conservation efforts really do work.
Sea Otters Stage One of Nature's Greatest Comebacks
