California’s sea otters, once nearly wiped out, are making a splash as unexpected environmental heroes! A groundbreaking study reveals their voracious appetite for crabs is revitalizing a critical estuary in central California, proving nature’s resilience 🌱.
From Near Extinction to Ecosystem Engineers
Decades after being hunted to the brink, these fuzzy marine mammals are now restoring balance in Elkhorn Slough. By feasting on crabs that overgraze seagrass beds, otters are helping coastal habitats bounce back—like underwater gardeners with a taste for crab cakes 🦀.
Why This Matters
Healthy estuaries act as carbon sinks and protect shorelines from erosion. The otters’ comeback story isn’t just cute—it’s a climate win 🏆. Researchers say this shows how protecting keystone species can trigger cascading benefits for entire ecosystems.
