'An absolutely magical experience': Kayaker shares live footage of playful sea otter adopting him mid voyage, brings awareness to the endangered adorable animals

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Apr 19, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

One of our lifelong dreams is to pet an otter. However, we know that that dream will never be realized because sea otters are an endangered species and it is illegal to interact with them in the wild. But, it never hurts to dream, right? We may never be able to pet or snuggle with an otter, but if you're kayaking along the Canadian coast, one might just come up and adopt you! Always remember this rule, though: wild animals can approach you, but you cannot approach wild animals.

In this absolutely magical video below, a kayaker shares live footage of a playful sea otter adopting him mid voyage. The otter climbs right up on their kayak and snuggles into their laps as if they were their very own family dog. The otter continued to swim around the person and play with their paddles in the cutest way pawssible. Not only is this video pawfectly adorable, but it also sheds light on how sea otters are considered an endangered species. Watch the full video and read all about it below!

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    kayakfanatic & & Sea Otter && I had been hearing stories about this sea otter at other surf beaches on Vancouver Island that was overly friendly, getting up on surf boards, sups & kayaks but it seems like now it's visiting our local break.
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    A while ago @kckayakfishing put up a reel of this Otter joining on his fishing session, well apparently it wanted to give kayak surfing a try.
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    NAS NIMB
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    It was jumping up on the back deck, swimming and playing along side as I paddled and eventually decided to sit in my lap, on top of the spray deck. It would follow me around after the surf, while I was waiting for waves and would even try to body surf along with the kayak!
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  • Need another laugh? Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly serving of the silliest cat content!

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    An absolute magical experience Now the serious part:
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    NINJA PRO
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    Sea Otters are a species at risk, and this behaviour is far from normal. Canadian law prohibits feeding and making purposeful interactions with marine mammals while maintaining 100M distances (some species have even larger distance restrictions).
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  • Hoomans really missed an opportunity with this one. Sure, we love our dogs, but if early hoomans had domesticated otters instead of dogs, we could all have a wet-doggo-friend hanging around with us instead of our pooch. Wouldn't that be just the cutest thing ever?

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    I was not engaging with this otter. It was following me around like a lost puppy. This otter interacted with others in my paddling group and others on SUPS & surfboards at the break and has been doing so for the last few days.
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    I have reached out to Canada's Department of Fisheries & Oceans (DFO) and made a report about this otter through their Marine Mammal distress contact centre as well as reaching out to friends who have senior contacts within DFO to hopefully find a resolution that finds a positive outcome for this endangered animal.
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    The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society has also partnered with DFO in the event that the animal needs to be rescued, rehabilitated and released.
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    If you encounter or have had past encounters with this Sea Otter a file has been set up to track its behaviour and if necessary escalate to ensure its safety and the safety of the people it's interacting with.
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    Vancouver Marine Mammal Rescue Society: rescue@vammr.org/604.258.7325 / vammr.org / IG: @vammrs DFO: 800.465.4336/IG: @fisheriesoceanscan
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    8willowmoon Proper wildlife interactions: you can't approach them, but they can approach you! I love it when wild animals choose to interact with humans.
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  • One of our favorite things on the internet is seeing animals interrupting wildlife photographers. It's just so wholesome. And while this may not be the same thing, it's definitely close enough for us to “awwww” over!

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    febroog What a dream!
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    rovon29 I didn't realize they're so big!
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    jorisdegoeijen0575 Can i pet that dawgggg
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    sto.fr Swimming on the sides like "dude slow downnnn i'm trying to hitch a ride!!"
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Tags

aww sea otters wholesome adorable wild animals cute animals cute otters magical wildlife at risk playful kayak viral animal videos animals wild
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