Sea Otter Known for Harassing California Surfers and Stealing Boards May Not Be Acting Alone

California’s notorious surfboard-stealing sea otter, known affectionately as “Otter 841,” has captured hearts and headlines alike with her unusual habit of harassing surfers and commandeering their boards off the coast of Santa Cruz.

The marine mammal, whose antics have been documented in numerous videos and photos since 2023, gained international fame after photographer Mark Woodward captured images of her riding atop surfboards. Woodward reports having photographed the mischievous otter on approximately a dozen different boards over just a few months in 2023.

Wildlife officials confirmed the last verified sighting of Otter 841 occurred in May 2024. However, a recent flurry of otter-related surfboard thefts in October 2025 has sparked speculation about her possible return—or the emergence of copycat behavior among other otters in the area.

“Anyone that says it’s 841 again stealing surfboards is merely speculating,” Woodward cautioned in a recent statement. The photographer captured images of an otter boarding surfboards twice during mid-October 2025, but couldn’t definitively identify the culprit, particularly since 841’s tracking device appears to be missing.

Otter 841’s unusual story begins with her birth to a pregnant sea otter that had been brought into protective care after being illegally fed by humans. According to Jess Fujii, sea otter program manager at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the young otter was released into the wild in 2020 with a blue tracking tag and radio transmitter to monitor her movements.

“She did not demonstrate any unusual behaviors before her release and was in the wild for over a year before reports of interactions began,” Fujii explained in an email correspondence.

The otter’s surfboard fixation prompted wildlife authorities from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to attempt capturing her in July 2023, citing “concerning and unusual behaviors.” These efforts proved unsuccessful, and plans to capture 841 were officially abandoned in October 2023 after she gave birth to a pup.

Wildlife experts haven’t determined exactly what drives 841’s peculiar behavior. Fujii suggested in a 2023 news release that aggressive behavior in female sea otters can often be attributed to hormonal changes or human feeding, which disrupts their natural behaviors.

The surfboard-stealing otter has since inspired a children’s book titled “Amelia Otter’s Mischief in the Water,” published in 2024, and even spawned merchandise from a sock company in 2025. Her exploits have been widely shared across social media platforms including YouTube, Instagram, and Reddit, delighting audiences worldwide.

The recent surfboard thefts reported in mid-October 2025 have reignited interest in the legendary marine mammal. The New York Times reported at least two incidents of otter-orchestrated surfboard thievery during this period, though it remains unclear whether 841 was responsible.

Fujii noted there could be several explanations for 841’s absence from confirmed sightings since summer 2024, including “loss of visually identifiable tags or movement to a new area.” Woodward indicated he’s heard from various sea otter organizations that 841 likely chewed off her tracker, complicating identification efforts.

California Fish and Wildlife has directed inquiries about the surfboard-stealing otter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages the sea otter species. However, requests for information have gone unanswered, potentially due to the fall 2025 government shutdown.

As Santa Cruz surfers remain vigilant for further board thefts, the legend of Otter 841 continues to grow, highlighting the complex relationship between wildlife and humans in coastal communities. Whether the recent incidents involve the return of the infamous 841 or indicate new otter behaviors emerging in the area, the surfboard-stealing sea otter of Santa Cruz has secured her place in both local lore and wildlife conservation discussions.