An otter tragedy. [Environmental effects of oil spills]
Otters appear to be the most vulnerable of all marine mammals to oil; oil reduces the insulating value of their fur by as much as 70% and otters are extremely vulnerable to oil poisoning through inhalation of hydrocarbon fumes, ingestion of petroleum, and absorption through the skin. After the Exxon Valdez accident in Alaska's Prince William Sound, dramatic efforts were made to rescue and rehabilitate otters and other sea animals. One hundred ninety seven of the treated otters were released back into the wild. However, soon after the release, wildlife biologist Lisa Rotterman reported an unprecidented die-off of never-oiled otters. Many of the treated otters may have carried a potentially novel herpesvirus, but whether this caused the die-off is controversial. It is also hard to separate symptoms of sickness, stress, and fear from oil toxicity. Overall the findings suggest a generic regimen for all oiled otters: antibiotics, vitamin and mineral supplements, and prompt administration of fluids. Assessing which animals need care is an urgent need. Strict quarantine, short captivity time, and protected handling of oiled animals are further suggestions.
- OSTI ID:
- 6762421
- Journal Information:
- Science News (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Vol. 143:13; ISSN 0036-8423
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Catastrophes and conservation: Lessons from sea otters and the Exxon Valdez
Technical report: Marine mammals study number 6. Movements of weanling and adult female sea otters in Prince William Sound, Alaska, after the t/v Exxon Valdez oil spill. Marine mammal study 6-12. Exxon Valdez oil spill state/federal natural resource damage assessment final report
Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
OIL SPILLS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
OTTERS
HEALTH HAZARDS
PETROLEUM
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ALASKA
ANIMALS
ANTIBIOTICS
FLUIDS
INGESTION
INHALATION
POISONING
QUARANTINE
TOXICITY
ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DRUGS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HAZARDS
INTAKE
MAMMALS
NORTH AMERICA
USA
VERTEBRATES
020900* - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology