By Laura Poppick, Staff Writer – livescience.com

The California sea otter population, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, has grown since last year, according to a recent population census published by the U.S. Geological Survey.

The otter population is reported annually as a three-year-running average, and rose to 2,941 this year, up from last year’s average of 2,792. The animal still retains its threatened species status, and will continue to do so until it reaches an average of 3,090 individuals for three consecutive years, according to a USGS statement.