"SANTA CRUZ When a colleague passed the photo along to sea otter expert Gena Bentall, she thought it was fake. The first thing I said was That is 100% AI (artificial intelligence), Bentall said with a chuckle. Because that posture is so weird. RELATED: Otter steals surfboard in Santa Cruz. No, not that otter. The viral picture, captured Thursday by Sentinel photographer Shmuel Thaler, depicts in its foreground a surfer gliding down the face of a wave at the iconic Steamer Lane break in Santa Cruz."
"Many have been wondering whether the animal involved is the notorious Otter 841 who rocketed to international fame in 2023 when she was photographed forcing a surfer from their board in images by Santa Cruz County photographer Mark Woodward. After the incident, the marine mammal was fitted with a radio transmitter to monitor her activity. Fish and Game officials believe that Otter 841 chewed off her tracker, so no one is sure whether she is the otter currently interacting with surfers."
Gena Bentall initially believed the photograph looked like AI because of the otter's unusual posture. The image shows a surfer at Steamer Lane while a female southern sea otter thrusts most of her body upright to take an expectant look at the waverider. Recent incidents included an otter commandeering a surfboard and another chewing a surfer's leash. Observers questioned whether the interacting animal is Otter 841, who gained fame in 2023 and was fitted with a radio transmitter. Fish and Game officials believe Otter 841 chewed off her tracker, leaving identity and tracking status uncertain. At least four otters swam in the lineup.
Read at www.santacruzsentinel.com
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