Why Japan is Losing Its Sea Otters

Japan’s aquariums used to host a total of 122 sea otters. Here’s why they’re now in danger of disappearing completely.

By Jay Allen

Their cuteness makes them a star attraction wherever they are. But it may not be long before Japanese aquarium visitors find there are no sea otters left to see.

The sea otter (enhydra lutris) is more than just an adorable-looking marine mammal. Environmentally, it’s considered a keystone species. Sea otters cull sea urchin populations, which prevent the urchins from decimating kelp forest ecosystems on sea floors.

Unfortunately, this key species is in danger of disappearing from the planet entirely. Humans hunted otters aggressively for their fur from the 18th century to the top of the 20th. That culled the world population from between 150,000 to 300,000 down to a mere 1,000 to 2,000.

Today, environmental threats such as oil spills also endanger the otter populations. The loss of kelp canopies due to environmental degradation or invasive species can also rob otters of their food supply.

Otters are now declared endangered worldwide. Governments and conversation groups are both working tirelessly to reintroduce otter populations to environments they once used to inhabit. The work is slow but has met with some success.

The move to declared sea otters endangered has led to their practical disappearance from aquariums in Japan.

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