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1. Traci
   Member Profile

   

   I'm emotional about this still, but I think this is WSB relevant.

   Tonight my boyfriend and I were riding our bikes back from Alki at about 1 AM and came upon a Sea Otter that had just been hit by a car. He or she was pretty big (but he was definately young) and I wasn't sure if he was dead because there was no significant bleeding. We stood there completely wrecked for a while, then checked to make sure he was dead. He still had water in his fur.

   I couldn't let him dry up all lonely on the pavement. It just seemed so wrong. A guy walked over from the Alki Tavern and said the same thing. We had to put him back in the water. My boyfriend and I picked him up and brought him back home, he was still warm. We said a prayer for him. When we got home there was a little blood that we didn't see in the dark, which is actually a little comforting; the little guy died quickly for sure.

   I know you all love these animals, and it feels appropriate to tell you about this sea otter. He was absolutely beautiful.

   Let's remember to be aware when we drive. I'm guilty of multitasking behind the wheel, and this was probably preventable.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

2. Jeannie
   Member Profile

   Thank you for sharing this. It's a sad story, but I think we all appreciate your kindness and concern for this little guy.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

3. Jo
   Member Profile

   I'm surprised we don't see more dead otters on the roads down here on Alki, as they're extremely fast as they dart across the road, and almost always at night.
   Also, the otters we see here are really River Otters. They are an amazing animal to watch.
   Joyful is a term that comes to mind when I think of a River Otter.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

4. PDieter
   Member Profile

   

   I don't want to imply that I disagree with what you did but just give a warning (perhaps influencing how you dispose of it) but possession of a marine mammal might well be illegal. I don't know for sure but my experience as a fly tyer suggests caution in this regard.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

5. Traci
   Member Profile

   

   Hey guys, I'm a little embarrassed about posting this last night. I was seriously unhinged about it. Jo, thanks for the correction...I didn't know that! It was probably the most adorable animal I've seen in my life.

   PDieter, I might be totally dense about your message. I don't possess it, we took it off the road and did handle it. Is that what you meant? I tried calling animal control but it was afterhours, maybe I should call again and let them know that they should pick it up? I highly doubt that it washed out to sea, so it might already have been taken care of.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

6. PDieter
   Member Profile

   

   it was the "brought him back home" part; wasn't sure if that was "back to the water" or actually "home".

   Posted 2 years ago #         

7. rykrite
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   Ohhhhh...
   Seeing that otter was a highlight of one of my Alki days. How sad.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

8. ellenater
   Member Profile

   

   Traci, how sad! I got what you meant by "home". I don't think you were too emotional. That is horrible. I'd feel the same for sure. Good job trying to help it! You rock. :)

   Posted 2 years ago #         

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