Sea otter populations off the Aleutian Islands have dropped by 80-90 percent since the 1970s.

CNN: Oil spill lessons offer hope for sea otters

As a result, nearly a dozen educational sea otter exhibits have opened at U.S. aquariums since the disaster.

CNN: Oil spill lessons offer hope for sea otters

In April 2004 Montgomery unveiled Scott bikes at Sea Otter, the earliest racing event of the season, in Monterey, California.

FORBES: Spinning Wheels

These exhibits teach the public about the sea otter and explain their vulnerability to tragedies caused by humans, including oil spills.

CNN: Oil spill lessons offer hope for sea otters

In addition, the central California sea otter populations are vulnerable to extinction.

CNN: Oil spill lessons offer hope for sea otters

Aquariums also conduct valuable research into sea otter biology and behavior, which helps better protect sea otter habitat and manage their populations in the wild.

CNN: Oil spill lessons offer hope for sea otters

Zoos and aquariums also assisted with sea otter rescue and recovery efforts after the Exxon Valdez oil spill and continue to assume leadership roles in helping the public understand the importance of protecting the sea otter, as well as making major contributions to ongoing marine mammal rescue and recovery programs.

CNN: Oil spill lessons offer hope for sea otters

If the otter is the symbol of the trail, the sound of the sea is its soundtrack.

WSJ: Trekking in Otter Space