A sea otter bit a surfer’s foot and then refused to leave her surfboard for about 20 minutes at a popular California beach.
God fills the ocean with amazing creatures. Sometimes they remind us we’re just visitors in their home.
Isabella Orduna went surfing Tuesday evening at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz. She was paddling out when something bit her foot. She rolled off her board and saw a sea otter sitting on it.
“All of a sudden I feel this like nip on my foot and I’m like, OK, that’s not good,” Orduna said. “Roll over or like roll off my board and look behind me—there’s an otter on my board.”
The otter stayed on her board for at least 20 minutes. Orduna floated in the water and didn’t know what to do. Another surfer saw what happened and helped her call for help.
Emergency crews arrived fast. Ben Coffey works as a marine safety officer for Santa Cruz Fire. He helped Orduna get out of the water safely.
“You don’t necessarily go out surfing thinking the otter’s gonna get on your board, but she was pretty calm overall and um luckily wasn’t hurt,” Coffey said.
This reminded people of “Otter 841.” That female otter became famous two years ago for stealing surfboards from surfers. No one knows if this is the same otter. Her tracking device fell off, so experts can’t tell for sure.
Orduna left the water with no serious injuries. She smiled about the whole thing. She said surfers need to remember they’re guests in the ocean. We need to respect the animals who live there.
This story shows us something important. God made us to care for His creation, not control it. We can enjoy the ocean while respecting the creatures who call it home.
WATCH: Sea Otter Takes Over Surfer’s Board and Refuses to Leave
