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Santa Cruz’s surf legend Otter 841 is stealing boards and hassling surfers. 🦦🏄‍♂️In Santa Cruz, a sea otter known locally as Otter 841 has been repeatedly grabbing surfboards, biting chunks from foam and epoxy, and clambering onto boards in the lineup, sometimes riding the swell toward shore while surfers scramble. Lifeguards and witnesses say the incidents at Steamer Lane are escalating in frequency and that the animal’s boldness creates clear safety concerns for people and wildlife.Surfers report Otter 841 will occupy a board for up to twenty minutes, prompting frantic retrieval attempts and occasional damage to equipment. Marine biologists suggest the otter may be attracted to shiny or buoyant objects and warn that habituation to human gear increases risk. Authorities advise keeping at least 50 feet away, exiting the water calmly when the otter appears, and reporting encounters to park rangers or wildlife officials.The otter’s antics have made it a local celebrity and a cautionary case for coastal managers balancing tourism and safety. Experts emphasize no feeding, no approaching, and stronger public education; habituated wildlife face greater danger and can endanger people. Officials say signage, outreach to surf schools and continued monitoring by marine researchers will be needed to protect both surfers and the otter while reducing future conflicts.#fblifestyle #photography #community #SantaCruz #Otter841 #SurfSafetyBBC News: Sea otter ‘Otter 841’ steals surfboards and harasses surfers at Santa Cruz break.Reuters: Santa Cruz otter repeatedly takes surfboards, prompting safety warnings at Steamer Lane.CNN: Viral footage shows otter stealing surfboards in California as officials urge surfers to keep distance.Fox News: California sea otter steals surfers’ boards at Steamer Lane, becomes local coastal legend.