Dead Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

Observation: When locals of Unalaska discovered the sea otter (Enhydra lutris), the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska (QTU) was notified and the Environmental Coordinator, Chris Price and the tribe's Youth Representative, Carter Price and I went to observe a recently deceased sea otter that washed up at Humpy Cove. We've heard about the efforts in tracking streptococcus illness in the Kachemak Bay region and we were concerned for the well being of the wildlife on the Aleutians. We noticed the sea otter was very emaciated and it appeared to be young with white teeth. There were no apparent abrasions or lesions. We notified Alaska SeaGrant to collect and send the sea otter to Fish and Wildlife for further review.

LEO Comment: There has been widespread die-offs of sea otters reported in Kachemak Bay this year. You can read about this in the Alaska Public Media story Kachemak sea otter deaths under investigation; Authorities seek public’s help.

Dead or dying sea otters and other marine mammals should be reported to the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Marine Mammal Stranding Network hotline at 888-774-SEAL (7325). This event was sharing by the observers to the Alaska SeaGrant agent in Unalaska, a collaborator with the SeaLife Center.

Resource: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. Journal | Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 40 (2015) 1-17 | Pathogenesis of Streptococcus infantarius subspecies coli Isolated from Sea Otters with Infective Endocarditis

Observation Update: The following update was forwarded to LEO Network on February 17, 2016:"Kathy Burek and FWS were able to complete the necropsy on the skinny sea otter that we sent out in December."

COMMENTS ON CAUSE OF DEATH:

Melissa Good, MAP Agent, Alaska Sea Grant