None of the animals liberated at Otter Island was subsequently seen 
at the Pribilofs, and it is quite certain that none survived. 
Period 1955 to 1959 
The present program of sea otter studies began on 26 July 1955 
when Kenyon and one Aleut laborer, Antone Bezezekoff, went to Amchitka 
Island, where they remained until 5 October. During this period, otters 
were held experimentally in cages without water for bathing (fig. 3), 
since the 1954 studies had indicated that this method was the most 
successful. A female otter, "Suzy," now approximately 5 years old 
(January 1960) was brought to Seattle and continues to live in good 
health there. The experience of 1955 indicated that bathing water was 
a necessity. The pelage of animals held for more than a month in dry 
bedding became severely worn and matted. The fact that the otter 
which survives in Seattle has done well in a pool demonstrates the 
need for access both to clean water and to dry areas. 
In the early spring of 1956, Refuge Manager Jones, with Navy 
assistance, transplanted five otters via ship from Amchitka to Attu in 
the Near Islands. No otters were subsequently seen there. 
Between 5 May and 26 July 1956, two experimental enclosures with 
pools were built on Amchitka. One of these was inside an abandoned 
building (fig.4). Considerable humidity developed, and the fur of 
otters did not dry properly. Ali animals held here developed enteritis 
and died within 2 or 3 weeks. Therefore, an outdoor enclosure was built 
containing a bathing trough through which sea water was pumped for 3 to 
4&4 hours each day (fig. 5}. In both these enclosures otters were given 
only intermittent access to water, and the condition of their fur 
deteriorated. In addition, animals kept with only limited access to 
water frequently developed infections of the paws and flippers which, 
in combination with eventual wetting of the fur, contributed to the 
mortality. Although survival was improved under these conditions it 
was evident that caging methods were still inadequate. 
As a result of the foregoing experiences and during the 1957 
Amchitka field study (10 October to 11 December) a cement pool 15 feet 
long, 8 feet wide, and 4 feet deep was built. Surrounding the pool was 
a 7-foot-wide wooden platform, and the entire installation was surrounded 
by a 7-foot board fence (fig. 6). The enclosure was unroofed. A con- 
tinuous flow of water was furnished by a fresh-water stream. All healthy 
animals placed in this enclosure remained healthy and several which were 
captured in poor condition regained health. 
Dr. Kenneth L. Binkley, Veterinarian of the Woodland Park Zoo, 
Seattle, spent October 1957 with Fish and Wildlife Service employees on 
Amchitka. Experiments with antibiotics (for enteritis and infections 
of extremities), vermifuges, and tranquilizers were conducted. The most 
valuable finding was that promozine hydrochioride ("Sparine" Wyeth) could 
14 
