According to recently released data, the endangered California sea otter enjoyed a mild upswing in population in 2007. In all, 3,026 otters were observed during a spring 2007 count by the Monterey-based Otter Project-roughly 12 percent more than a similar count in 2006. The number of sea otters found dead in 2007 also ballooned to an all-time high of 300, though Otter Project officials also noted a lower otter pup mortality rate.
