"They found this estuary, Elkhorn Slough. Presently, the only places to see sea otters in Oregon are at the Oregon Zoo and the Oregon Coast Aquarium, where this guy lives. My gf birthday is coming up next month and her 2 favorite animals are foxes and otters. Simpson Reef off Cape Arago southwest of Coos Bay and the area around Sea Lion Caves north of Florence are among the most accessible and dependable areas for spotting Pinnipeds, the family that includes both seals and sea lions. They can be viewed at Point Lobos State Reserve in Carmel and, potentially, although difficult spots to get to, along the Big Sur coast. Otters control the population of sea urchins which in turn feed on the giant kelp forests offshore. Been trying to find a way for her to interact with them a bit closer but having issues with my preliminary searches. Tom Banse/Northwest News Network A raft of California sea otters. Sea otters can be found all along the coast adjacent to Cannery Row in Monterey southward to Lover’s Point and beyond. Oregon. Yet Larson, a longtime sea otter expert, said if otters can bounce back off central California, it can probably happen in Oregon too. The decline of the Sea Otter in Oregon had far-reaching environmental impacts. We stopped at the Sea Lion Caves in Florence. Enhydra lutrisSea otters live in the nearshore marine ecosystem. Did you know? They do most of their foraging within about half a mile of shore. Yeah That was my first thought as well for the otters. The last known otter in Oregon was killed in 1907, and a reintroduction effort in the 1970s was unsuccessful. What will it take to help them return? The Monterey Bay is a prime viewing/otter spotting location. Oregon is a beautiful state filled with beaches, lakes, breweries, resorts, and unique attractions.Visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum, Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Oregon Observatory and other unique attractions. We stopped at the Sea Lion Caves in Florence. entrance fee to check them out. entrance fee to check them out. The Oregon Coast is lined with bluffs ideal for spotting gray whales, while some 500 types of migratory birds pass through the entire state in spring and fall, including through some of the most prolific bird-watching sanctuaries in … Just returned from a trip up the coast of Oregon. However, growing populations in Washington and recent sightings of lone sea otters off the Oregon coast, including a confirmed sighting in 2009 at Depoe Bay, indicate that Oregon could again be home to these furry creatures. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in April. Now, the only indigenous population of Southern Sea Otters resides along the coast of central California. The Oregon coast is a busy place and not as pristine as it once was. Southern Sea Otters once filled the waters off the Oregon coast, but due to the popularity of their fur for human clothing, they were hunted to extinction in the state by the early twentieth century. We have reviews of the best places to see in Otter Rock. It has the biggest Stellar Sea Lion population I've ever seen! The climate and rocky shores along Monterey County's coastline are ideal for these critters and the bountiful kelp forests are full of all of their favorite snacks. However, growing populations in Washington and recent sightings of lone sea otters off the Oregon coast, including a confirmed sighting in 2009 at Depoe Bay, indicate that Oregon could again be home to these furry creatures. However, this translocation effort failed and otters soon again disappeared from the state. Otter Fans Float Plan To Bring Sea Otters Back To Oregon Coast By Tom Banse November 14, 2018 Presently, the only places to see sea otters in Oregon are at the Oregon Zoo and the Oregon Coast Aquarium, where this guy lives. Top things to do in Oregon for families include the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Hartfield Marine Science Center and the High Desert Museum. It's worth the $12. The community derives its name from a rock off its coastline that was once a haven for otters. It's worth the $12. 4 years ago. River otters splash and bald eagles soar over this quiet stretch of river. It has the biggest Stellar Sea Lion population I've ever seen! If you want to see these critters, no problem. The view from above the water is fabulous too. Oregon Wild hopes to give them the very best chance of survival so that we can all once again see these intelligent and playful critters thrive in their native Oregon home. Today, southern sea otters live along the central coast of California; northern sea otters live along the coasts of Washington, Canada, and Alaska. However, sea otter populations still face a number of additional threats, including pollution (especially oil spills), poaching, entanglement in fishing gear, as well as parasites and … Ecological Impact of the Otters Decline. Top 5 Places to Spot Sea Otters. Both the Clatsop natives and Lewis and Clark referred to the river, which originates just south of Saddle Mountain, as the "Netul," but in 1925 the name was changed to the Lewis and Clark River. Although sea otters have returned elsewhere, they remain missing in Oregon. NW News Network, Tom Banse Wildlife Viewing What animals might you see while traveling around Oregon? The last native sea otter in Oregon was probably shot and killed in 1906.