256 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 68 



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1962 ^^''''^^^ 









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 / ,959 / V 



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-1 1 1 1 ■ 



1-7 8 -14 15 -21 22-28 29-4 5-11 12 -18 19-25 26-4 5-11 12-18 19-25 26-1 2-8 9-15 16-22 23-2930-6 7-13 

 JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY 



PERIODS OF OBSERVATION 



Figure 97. — Mortality of sea otters at Amchitka Island during weekly in- 

 tervals through periods of high mortality in 1959 and 1962. 



ing about alone, crying, very weak, and near death from star- 

 vation. The mother was found dead on 19 March. It might be 

 concluded that even after deserting her pup, she was unable to 

 regain the strength she sacrificed during storms while attempting 

 to meet the food demands of both herself and her pup. Another 

 pup (weighing about 17 lb., 7.7 kg.) was captured, tagged, and 

 released together with its mother on 27 February 1962. The pup 

 was found dead and emaciated on 5 March. 



Figure 98. — A moribund juvenile sea otter. During the late winter and 

 early spring season of stormy weather starving juveniles haul out on shore 

 and die. Enteritis is usually a terminal symptom. This animal illustrates 

 the final comatose stage that occurs shortly before death. Amchitka Island, 

 26 February 1962. (KWK 62-17-22) 



