The Economic Times

In 1980s, scientists moved 140 sea otters to a California island as an insurance policy; most disappeared, but the population eventually rebounded

In the late 1980s, wildlife officials initiated a relocation effort by moving southern sea otters to San Nicolas Island. Initially, many of the otters left the island, which led to a significant population decline. However, those that remained began to reproduce, and over time, the colony gradually flourished. By 2019, the population reached about one hundred, highlighting the effectiveness of wildlife relocation and restoration initiatives.