Sea Otter Move to Start Today

State and federal wildlife biologists were preparing Wednesday to fly the first 24 California sea otters to San Nicholas Island in a controversial and ambitious relocation effort.

The 24 animals--the first of 70 scheduled for relocation this year--were expected to be moved from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to the island this morning. The otters were held in a secluded area in the aquarium after being captured off the San Luis Obispo County coast Monday and Tuesday.

The eventual transfer of 250 of the estimated 1,650 sea otters living along the California coast was approved last week by the California Fish and Game Commission despite opposition from divers and commercial fishermen, who say the animals, which eat shellfish, will hurt their business. Opponents say they will seek a court order this week to block the move.

The island colony of otters is being established to protect the species from a possible oil spill along the California coast, which could devastate the population.

“They are all healthy and doing well,” said David Klinger, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman, noting that biologists will monitor the sea otters’ physical condition throughout the relocation project. Blood samples were taken Wednesday to check the otters’ overall health, he said.