More than 20 dead or sickened sea otters found in California
Associated Press
April 15, 2004
SAN LUIS OBISPO – More than 20 California sea otters have been discovered dead or sick around Morro Bay during the past week, and scientists suspect a natural marine toxin is to blame.
The dead or sickened animals represent nearly 1 percent of the wild population of the southern sea otter, a threatened species protected under federal law. Many were found comatose or suffering from seizures or muscle tremors, scientists said Wednesday.
Wildlife experts believe the otters may have eaten mussels, clams and scallops contaminated with domoic acid – a naturally occurring toxin found in algae blooms at this time of year.
Post-mortem examinations on 12 otters and tests on tissue samples are expected to reveal what killed or sickened the animals.
Other marine mammals, birds and humans can also suffer nervous system damage from eating shellfish and fish that contain domoic acid.
The state Department of Health Services has warned the public not to eat sport-caught shellfish in San Luis Obispo County.
Only 2,505 otters were counted in their current range between Santa Barbara and Half Moon Bay during a 2003 census. The population must exceed 3,000 to be taken off the federal government's list of threatened species.
A year ago this month, 48 otters died, the highest short-term mortality rate in modern times. Their deaths were attributed to marine toxins, shark bites and parasites, including one linked to cat waste.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20040415-1351-wst-otterdeaths.html
