Marine biologist on probation for feeding orcas is back in court in otter case

A Northern California marine biologist who was put on probation for feeding orcas is back in court, this time for being too close to sea otters.

The Monterey Herald reported that Nancy Black admitted Monday during a probation revocation hearing that she violated the conditions of her probation by being within 50 yards of two otters.

Black, who co-owns Monterey Bay Whale Watch, says she was documenting otter pup health in the harbor when a mom and her pup swam near the boat and someone took a picture.

Black had been put on probation after she roped a piece of gray whale blubber and attached it to the side of her boat near a feeding pod of orcas in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in 2004. That probation term would have been up in January 2017.

Her sentencing hearing is scheduled in federal court next week.