An alarming ecological crisis is unfolding in the remote Commander Islands of Russia’s Far East, where the population of sea otters (kalan) on Medny Island has plummeted to unprecedented lows, sparking urgent calls for international attention. Recent surveys reveal a critically endangered status for these iconic marine mammals, vital to the health of the Arctic ecosystem.
Marine biologists from the ‘Commander Islands’ National Park have recorded a mere 205 individuals in the waters surrounding Medny Island – the lowest count ever documented since monitoring began in the early 20th century. This figure is starkly lower even than in 1922, a period when sea otters were still actively hunted for their valuable fur, with approximately 300 animals then inhabiting the area. The current decline represents a dramatic reversal from a conservation success story; following a ban on hunting, the population had soared to nearly 3,000 by 2007.
However, a troubling trend emerged after 2008, initiating a rapid decrease in numbers. The population stabilized at a worryingly low range of 260-290 individuals between 2021 and 2024, before this year’s devastating drop. This precipitous fall signals an accelerating threat to the species’ survival in this unique habitat.
Experts point to a confluence of severe environmental stressors as the primary drivers of this crisis, intrinsically linked to broader global challenges. Disruptions within the coastal ecosystems of the Commander Islands, largely exacerbated by global climate change, are leading to widespread degradation of vital kelp forests and a significant reduction in the sea otters’ primary food sources. These shifts underscore the profound impact of global warming on fragile polar and subpolar environments.
In response, specialists at the National Park are intensifying their monitoring efforts, racing against time to devise and implement emergency measures to prevent the complete disappearance of these remarkable animals – often dubbed the planet’s furriest mammal. A new, scientifically informed monitoring program, incorporating international best practices, is under development to safeguard not only the sea otters but also the delicate balance of the entire Commander Islands ecosystem, serving as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of global environmental health and the urgent need for collaborative conservation action.