THE SEA OTTER IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN 289 



Figure 107. — In 1955, before it was learned that fur of the sea otter quickly- 

 lost its waterproof qualities when otters were carried in dry bedding, these 

 animals were transported from Amchitka to the Pribilof Islands as shown. 

 Mortality was high during the trip, and no otters are known to have sur- 

 vived after release. Three that were recaptured within a few minutes 

 after release were soaked to the skin, rigid with cold and near death. 

 (KWK 55-10-2) 



perimentally in cages without water for bathing, since the 1954 

 studies had indicated that the otters survived best when kept dry. 

 A female, **Susie," was given constant care and brought to Seattle 

 where she lived in good health until shortly before her death on 

 27 October 1961. The pelage of animals held for more than a 

 month in dry bedding became severely worn and matted. The fact 

 that the otter which survived in Seattle did well in a pool demon- 

 strated the need for access to clean water and dry areas. 



Between 5 May and 26 July 1956, two experimental enclosures, 

 with pools intermittently filled with water, were built on Amchitka. 

 One of these was inside an abandoned building. Considerable 

 humidity developed, and the fur did not dry properly. All de- 

 veloped enteritis and died within 2 or 3 weeks. Therefore, an out- 

 door enclosure was built containing a bathing trough through 



