SEA OTTERS. ' ' . 



This report covers,' generally spoaki'iig, the mammals Gncountored 

 by the CHELMT in 1933 and 1934 and on provious visits to Alaska by 

 Commander E, A, Zousler, In view of the fact that no live soa otters 

 wore seen at any time, the subject T/as not covered, Hc^irover, it is 

 felt that in view of the recent observations made of tho sea otter herd 

 by the CHELAK under Commander L. L. Kiolhorn, U. S. Coast Guard, a report 

 should be included as an addition to the CHELAN observation of 1934, 

 Therefore, by permission of Coast Guard Headquarters extracts from tho 

 CHELAN reports of 1935 and 1936 arc quoted: 



"Recent reports of large number sea otters on southorn side 

 Amchitka Island have been confirmed by CHELAN ¥;ho with Q.S.S. OGLALA of 

 Aleutian Island Survey Expedition have circ'utmiQvigated this 'island. No 

 otter on Kiska, Khwostbf., Davidof , Segula, Little Sitkin, Semisopochnoi, 

 probably reason survival this herd is due to extonsive foul grounds on 

 the Pacific side of the Islands, Estimate of nunib^er of otter varies from 

 one to six thousand but GKELAN counted in small area in dense fog from £r~ 

 ships boat about, fifty. Otter appears to be spreading to Bat and neighbot--* *'' 

 ing islands and are found in dense kelp beds about one eighth mile off 

 ■shore which is generally unapproachable from Pacific side, 



"CHELAN Kiska, Alaska, 



31 August, 1936. 

 "From: Lieutenant Commander So P. Swicegood, 

 ''To: Commanding Officer, -CHELAN, 



"Subject: Amchitka Sea Otter Survey Expedition. 



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 "Invlosure: 



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"In aceordanco with instructions ********** ***a survey 

 of tho sea otter in tho immediate vicinity of iirachitka Island was made t , 

 during tho period 10-19 August, 1936. 



"The party of two officers and ten men, having been transported from 

 Unalaska to Amchitka on the. DAPHNE, -was landed at Constantine Harbor at 

 noon, 10 August, 1936, There the base camp was established and the work 

 carried on from that point. Six, tents were erected for shelter of the 

 party and two folding cots installed in each tent. One of the cabins 

 was selected for use as a cook hoT.ise and a place to store provisions. The 

 portable radio set ?;aB at first set up in one of the tents but, duo to 

 the dampness, was later iristalled in- the house, 



"In order to arrive at an accurate estimate of the situation and 

 plan of operations - the first step undertaken,, after the base camp had 

 been established, was to scout as much of the eastern half of tho island 

 as possible with ttto purpose of obtaining data concerning the location 

 of the sea otter and othor pertinent -and general information. This was 

 accomplished and the .following racts established thereby; 



"(a) Tho prosenco of soa ottor In -abundanoe along tho southern 

 shore of the island, but found only in tho water. 



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