Sea Otter Awareness Week

September 22 – 28, 2024

Annually, throughout the last full week of September, we celebrate sea otters during Sea Otter Awareness Week. We encourage zoological and educational institutions, governmental agencies and communities to plan and undertake events that highlight sea otters. These activities include sharing stories, disseminating science and generating media that inspire a deeper awareness of these unique marine mammals, their ecological importance and the many challenges they face.

Sea Otter Awareness Week is organized and sponsored by Defenders of Wildlife, Sea Otter Savvy, California Department of Parks and Recreation, the Elakha Alliance, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

2024 Theme: Together We Thrive

This year’s Sea Otter Awareness Week theme highlights the interconnectedness of humans, sea otters and the environment. It encourages communities, organizations and individuals to work together for a healthier, more sustainable future.

Over the next 50 years, the transforming climate and detrimental actions by people will impose intense and undesirable effects on coastal habitats. Together We Thrive underscores how collective action can lead to significant positive impacts on sea otter conservation. It draws attention to the ways local communities, conservation groups, scientists and policymakers can join forces to tackle environmental challenges, establish sustainable practices and foster responsible stewardship of our natural resources.

If we cooperate, we can create a harmonious balance where sea otters flourish, coastal ecosystems achieve greater resilience and human communities realize the profound connections we share with the natural world.
 

Click logo to see animation! 

Logo design: Heather Barrett @HBarrett_Otter

Join Defenders of Wildlife’s Sea Otters Facebook Group
 

Calendar of Events

Check back soon for more events!

In-person Events and Activities Map

For in-person Sea Otter Awareness Week events and activities, click on the map to find an event near you! 

Expand map by clicking the "View Larger Map" button in the upper-right corner.

Sea Otter Awareness Week Viewing and Education Stations 

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Sea Otter Awareness Week 2024 Viewing Stations Flyer
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Raft of Sea Otters Above a Kelp Bed
Lawrence Swayne

The Extraordinary Sea Otter

Tour the special places that play a part in the past, present and future recovery of California's sea otters!

Explore Sea Otters
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Southern sea otters float at Moss Landing, California.
Lilian Carswell/USFWS

Check out these Live Sea Otter Cameras all year!

Detroit Zoo
Sea Otter Live Cam

Georgia Aquarium
Southern Sea Otter Webcam

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Sea Otter Cam

Oregon Coast Aquarium
Sea Otter Live Camera

Seattle Aquarium
Live Otter Cams 

Vancouver Aquarium
 Sea Otter Cams 

Wildlife and Wild Places

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