RIVER OTTER (LUTRA CANADENSIS) REINTRODUCTION IN PENNSYLVANIA: PRERELEASE CARE AND CLINICAL

摘要: The Pennsylvania River Otter Reintroduction Project (PRORP) was initiated in 1982 to restore river otters (Lutra canadensis) portions of their historic range Pennsylvania. To date, 75 have been successfully reintroduced five watersheds north-central and western Otters were obtained by live trapping northeastern Maryland or purchased from commercial dealers trappers Louisiana, New York, Michigan, Hampshire. Prior reintroduction, usually underwent a period captivity 10-14 days facilitate clinical evaluation, treatment injuries, convalescence following surgical im plantation radio transmitters, prerelease conditioning. Captive management techniques for physical chemical restraint, evaluation health status, housing, nutrition developed refined team wildlife biologists laboratory animal veterinarians enhance rein troduction success promoting the release healthy, well-conditioned otters. incorporation captive plan within framework otter relocation efforts has contributed successful restoration populations