Oldest Southern Sea Otter in Captivity Dies in California
Share
LONG BEACH — Charlie, the oldest southern sea otter held by any zoo or aquarium, has died in California.
The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach says Charlie died Monday at the age of 22.
Charlie celebrated his birthday last month by eating colorful seafood cupcakes.
Male southern sea otters typically only live 10 to 14 years in the wild.Charlie celebrated his birthday last month by eating colorful seafood cupcakes.
Charlie helped sea otters by taking part in a study on how the animals perceive sound.
The aquarium lost another otter in January. Brook, a female, was 21 when she died of congestive heart failure.
California’s sea otters are considered threatened. Hunting in the 18th and 19th centuries nearly wiped them out.
Conservation efforts have brought the population to about 3,000 but otters still face threats such as pollution and habitat loss.
![Photo of Charlie the sea otter celebrating his 22nd birthday](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/16161356/20190223_AOPotter_charlie_7988w_780_585_80auto_s.jpg)
RELATED TOPICS:
Ricardo Lara Deserves Credit for Trying to Solve California’s Home Insurance Crisis
Opinion /
3 hours ago
Mark Gardner on Giants’ 2014 World Series Title, Why Fresno Turns Out Great Players
Sports /
3 hours ago
What the Republican Party Might Look Like if Trump Loses
Opinion /
4 hours ago
Vikings QB McCarthy Needs Surgery on Meniscus Tear in Right Knee
Sports /
4 hours ago
Japan’s Prime Minister Prepares to Step Down. Why, and What’s Next?
World /
4 hours ago
Michigan’s Sherrone Moore Looks Forward to Release of Text Messages in Sign-Stealing Investigation
Sports /
5 hours ago
Latest
Videos
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14125622/Apartments-damaged-by-falling-missile-debris-injury-several-people-in-Kursk-Russia-on-Tuesday-Aug.-13-2024.-Ukraine-pressed-ahead-with-its-assault-inside-Russian-territory-on-Tuesday-a-week-1024x538.jpg)
World /
2 hours ago
Ukraine’s Surprise Attack Has Forced Russia to Change Plans
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14092611/020924_FAST_FOOD_UNION_JAH_CM_00739.jpg-1024x576.jpg)
Politics /
2 hours ago
Californians Will Vote on $18 Minimum Wage. Workers Want $25 and More.
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14101619/041024-Ricardo-Lara-TS-CM-18.jpg-1024x576.jpg)
Opinion /
3 hours ago
Ricardo Lara Deserves Credit for Trying to Solve California’s Home Insurance Crisis
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/13163938/shutterstock_31288807-1024x576.jpg)
Sports /
3 hours ago
Mark Gardner on Giants’ 2014 World Series Title, Why Fresno Turns Out Great Players
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14103434/Former-President-Donald-Trump-raises-his-fists-at-a-campaign-rally-in-Harrisburg-Pa.-on-July-31-2024.-It-is-rare-in-American-political-history-for-a-single-figure-to-dominate-a-party-as-thoroug-1024x538.jpg)
Opinion /
4 hours ago