RIVER OTTER (LUTRA CANADENSIS) REINTRODUCTION IN PENNSYLVANIA: PRERELEASE CARE AND CLINICAL

Abstract

The Pennsylvania River Otter Reintroduction Project (PRORP) was initiated in 1982 to restore river otters (Lutra canadensis) to portions of their historic range in Pennsylvania. To date, 75 otters have been successfully reintroduced to five watersheds in north-central and western Pennsylvania. Otters were obtained by live trapping in northeastern Pennsylvania and Maryland or were purchased from commercial dealers and trappers in Louisiana, New York, Michigan, and New Hampshire. Prior to reintroduction, otters usually underwent a period of captivity of 10-14 days to facilitate clinical evaluation, treatment of injuries, convalescence following surgical im plantation of radio transmitters, and prerelease conditioning. Captive management techniques for physical and chemical restraint, evaluation of health status, housing, and nutrition were developed and refined by a team of wildlife biologists and laboratory animal veterinarians to enhance rein troduction success by promoting the release of healthy, well-conditioned otters. The incorporation of a captive management plan within the framework of otter relocation efforts has contributed to successful restoration of otter populations in Pennsylvania.