Sea otters were among 20 marine species threatened by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. Many sea otters died from exposure to the 40, 000 tons of sticky crude oil spilled in the tanker disaster. Their population has since rebounded to nearly 4,300 in picturesque Prince William Sound, according to a study by the US Geological Survey.

Exxon spill still lingers. (2014, March 20). Manila Bulletin, p. B-7.