"Rogue Sea Otter Targets Santa Cruz Surfers, Authorities Issue Warning"

A 5-year-old female sea otter named Otter 841 has been stealing and damaging surfboards from surfers in Santa Cruz, California. Due to the increasing public safety risk, wildlife officials have deployed a team to capture and rehome her. Sea otters usually have an innate fear of humans, but interactions can occur during hormonal surges or if they are fed or repeatedly approached. Otter 841 was raised in captivity and released into the wild, but quickly lost her fear of humans. If captured, she will be transferred to a different aquarium to live out her days. Authorities are urging surfers to avoid her, and experts advise against sharing close encounters on social media to prevent misinterpretation and potential harm to the animal.