In Santa Cruz, California, a unique wildlife encounter is taking an unexpected turn, as a spirited sea otter proves to be a nuisance to local surfers at Steamer Lane, a legendary point break along the city’s rocky coastline.

Affectionately dubbed the ‘board bandit’, this 5-year-old female sea otter has gained notoriety for her audacious behavior – stealing surfboards from unsuspecting surfers and kayakers.

The unusual spectacle has even been documented on social media, showing the aquatic mammal pulling herself onto boards, much to the amusement of onlookers.

Occasionally, she gnaws on the boards or persuades surfers to give up their equipment completely.

Although these interactions may elicit laughter and fascination, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) warns that the otter’s behavior could pose a safety risk.

In a public statement, the agency advised, “While there have been no confirmed reports of injury, due to the highly unusual behavior of this otter, kayakers, surfers, and others recreating in the area should not approach the otter or encourage the otter’s interactions.”

Mark Woodward, a Santa Cruz native, seasoned photographer, and otter enthusiast, noted the rareness of this behavior.

Over his many years of photographing otters, he claims he’s never seen anything quite like this, witnessing the otter’s assertive behavior three times in less than a week.

“I saw the first incident on June 18 and I didn’t know what was happening,” Woodward shared with NPR, expressing his astonishment.

USFWS expressed concern over the otter’s peculiar behavior, speculating that it could be related to hormonal changes or unintended consequences of feeding by humans.

The otter, officially known as Otter 841, was born in captivity because her mother had also shown a lack of fear of humans. She was released into the wild in June 2020, only to start displaying the odd behavior in September 2022.

Upon capture by the USFWS and aquarium staff, the adventurous otter will unfortunately be destined for a life in captivity.

According to Kevin Connor, a spokesperson for Monterey Bay Aquarium, if the otter were to bite or harm a human, discussions about euthanizing the animal would have to commence. “That’s the reality, and nobody wants to see that,” Connor solemnly stated.

Southern sea otters are considered a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act and are protected by the Marine Mammal Act and California law.

Their numbers have shown promising recovery after being hunted nearly to extinction for their fur in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, they are key predators in California’s coastal ecosystems.

A team from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Monterey Bay Aquarium is currently on the lookout for the notorious otter in an effort to prevent more serious incidents.