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Title: An otter tragedy. [Environmental effects of oil spills]

Abstract

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.

Authors:
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
6762421
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Science News (Washington, D.C.); (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 143:13; Journal ID: ISSN 0036-8423
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
02 PETROLEUM; 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

Citation Formats

Raloff, J. An otter tragedy. [Environmental effects of oil spills]. United States: N. p., 1993. Web. doi:10.2307/3977310.
Raloff, J. An otter tragedy. [Environmental effects of oil spills]. United States. https://doi.org/10.2307/3977310
Raloff, J. 1993. "An otter tragedy. [Environmental effects of oil spills]". United States. https://doi.org/10.2307/3977310.
@article{osti_6762421,
title = {An otter tragedy. [Environmental effects of oil spills]},
author = {Raloff, J},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {10.2307/3977310},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6762421}, journal = {Science News (Washington, D.C.); (United States)},
issn = {0036-8423},
number = ,
volume = 143:13,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Mar 27 00:00:00 EST 1993},
month = {Sat Mar 27 00:00:00 EST 1993}
}