California Sea Otters: Life on the Edge

Adored by many for its cuddly appearance, the threatened southern sea otter is a voracious predator that needs to eat the equivalent of 25% of its body weight a day to survive. Once nearly hunted to extinction, this endearing marine weasel has made a slow comeback on California’s central coast, demonstrating its role as an ecosystem engineer in the process.

Dedicated scientists, land restorationists, and volunteers are drawing upon the ancient wisdom of the Hawaiian people to revive Maui’s cherished ecosystems. Even amidst profound loss in the wake of recent wildfires, these resilient islanders are committed to reconnecting waterways from mauka to makai—from the mountains to the ocean—to heal their island home.

Despite its designation as globally “endangered,” relatively little is known about the whitespotted eagle ray’s ecology and life history. Now Florida scientists are combining cutting-edge technology with creative approaches to gain deeper insight into the movement and diet of this elegant fish – allowing them to experience the world from a ray’s point of view for the first time.