Chamical contaminants, pathogen exposure and general health status of live and beach-cast Washington sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni)
Brancato MS, Milonas L, Bowlby CE, Jameson R, Davis JW. 2009. Chamical contaminants, pathogen exposure and general health status of live and beach-cast Washington sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni). Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Silver Spring, MD
From the Abstract: "Analyses of blood and liver samples from live captured sea otters and liver samples from beach-cast sea otter carcasses off the remote Washington coast indicate relatively low exposure to contaminants, but suggest that even at the low levels measured, exposure may be indicated by biomarker response. Evidence of pathogen exposure is noteworthy - infectious disease presents a potential risk to Washington sea otters, particularly due to their small population size and limited distribution. During 2001 and 2002, 32 sea otters were captured, of which 28 were implanted with transmitters to track their movements and liver and blood samples were collected to evaluate contaminant and pathogen exposure. In addition, liver samples from fifteen beach-cast animals that washed ashore between 1991 and 2002 were analyzed to provide historical information and a basis of reference for values obtained from live otters."
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Brancato, M; Milonas, L; Bowlby, C; Jameson, R; Davis, J
- Date of Issue
- 2009-02
- Publisher
- Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
- Units
- OLYM
- Keywords
- Coastal, Disease, Health, pollutant, sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni)