
The otter population at Adak has increased greatly during the past 
few years. None was seen there on a survey by Refuge Manager Jones in 
the late 1940's, but in our 1959 survey 1,718 were counted. This in- 
dicates that otters have moved to the Adak area from the large Kanaga 
population across 6 miles or more of open water. Now that sea otter 
populations in various areas are quite substantial, it is probable that 
new island populations will become established more rapidly than during 
past years. 
If additional transplants to St. Paul Island or the Near Islands 
are contemplated, we believe that they could be accomplished most 
practically in a similar manner and at the same season as in 1959. 
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 
1. Sea otters were not successfully transplanted before 1959 
because their requirements in captivity and during transportation 
were not met. 
2. The primary reason for the death of captive sea otters was 
that foreign matter became imbedded in the fur, causing the animals to 
become wet to the skin. Chilling was followed by pathological symptoms, 
usually enteritis, and death in a few hours or days in all such cases. 
3. Otters may now be held successfully in captivity. The require- 
ments are: (a) an abundant supply of clean running water (either fresh 
or salt), (b) an abundant supply of parasite-free food, (c) free access 
to both water and clean dry areas, and (d) free circulation of air. 
4. If otters are to be liberated at the place of transplant 
in condition to survive they must be: (a) shipped direct by air, (b) 
carried in cages having a false bottom to eliminate soiling of fur by 
urine and feces, (c) not fed during shipment (to avoid soiling fur), 
(d) kept at aircraft cabin temperatures below 50° F. (even at 50°, 
sufficient water must be available for drinking and to wet the fur of 
‘excited and restless animals that become overheated), (e) kept below 
10,000 feet (about 2,000 feet was satisfactory) in unpressurized air- 
craft and not carried aloft at a rapid rate of ascent, (f) liberated 
immediately on arrival at destination, and (g) if carried aboard ship, 
the conditions outlined under point 3 above must be met. 
5. Promozine hydrochloride ("'Sparine" Wyeth) is a useful tran- 
quilizer to speed the adjustment to captivity of nervous sea otters. 
No harmful side effects have been noted. 
6. A transplant of seven subadult sea otters on 20 May 1959 from 
Amchitka Island in the Aleutians to St. Paul Island in the Pribilofs, 
a distance of approximately 500 miles was accomplished successfully 
when all conditions outlined under points 3 and 4 were met. An 
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