Oiled Sea Otter Rehabilitation Course

Summary

The effectiveness of a capture operation depends on prespill planning, quick notification of trained personnel, the ability to rapidly assess the number of otters at risk, and the efficient mobilization of well-equipped response teams. Experience from the EVOS indicates that the first several weeks of a spill pose the greatest risk to sea otters. An immediate response during this critical period will ensure that the capture operation will provide the greatest benefit to the otter population, especially when the threatened population is small or endangered.