• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.107-109
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• 2018

An 8-year-old female Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) reared in a wetland center, died 2 h after sudden onset of astasia and dyspnea despite medical treatment. Gross examination of internal organs revealed 10 adult filarioid nematodes in the right ventricle of the heart and three between the left and right cerebral hemispheres. All nematodes were identified as Dirofilaria immitis by direct microscopy and polymerase chain reaction assay. Histopathological observation revealed multifocal hemorrhage in the cerebral subarachnoid space and focal necrosis with hemorrhage in the cerebellar parenchyma. Although rare, veterinarians should consider cerebral dirofilariasis as a differential diagnosis in unexplained neurological cases.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.80-90
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• 2020

In order to understand the stress responses, we measured the concentration of stress hormones by using the fresh feces of wild otters in the Gwangju stream and Seomjin river during summer and winter in 2018. We compared seasonal and regional number of spraints (=otters' feces), temperature, altitude, water width, land cover, and water quality with stress hormones. The stress hormone levels were higher in summer than in winter, and significantly different to season and region. In addition, the number of feces were different according to the season and region, and showed a negative correlation with stress hormone. This study suggested assessing stress hormones as another promising method for the analysis of status of wild otters and it will contribute to establish the management and conservation policy, especially in urban area.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.395-399
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• 2009

Radiotelemetry device was surgically implanted in the abdomen of a Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra). Behaviors of the otter, hospitalized after surgical implantation were also observed. The surgical techniques involved an incision in the paralumbar fossa to introduce a radiotelemetry device into the abdominal cavity. Thirteen behaviors of the otter during hospitalization following abdominal surgery were observed and the time budget of each behavior and the times at which each behavior seems to appear most frequently were measured. This report could provide surgical techniques involving intra-abdominal implantation in otter and basic information associated with otter's behaviors during hospitalization.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 1999.04a
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• pp.49.2-49
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• 1999

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.24 no.2 s.62
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• pp.160-165
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the prey composition and utilization of the Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra, in the ecosystem conservation region of the Seomjin River. The study was conducted for a 12-month period from March 2003 to February 2004 by spraints analysis and an investigation using artificial holts. We found seasonal variation in the number of spraints and composition of prey items. Fish were the main prey items throughout the period (82%), and other prey items included birds (14%), amphibians (2%) and arthropods (1%). In addition to prey identification, we investigated habitat utilization by otters through spraints distribution. The traces of otters were discovered in five of the six total artificial holts. However, the utilization of the artificial holts in the study area seemed to be limited as evidenced by the low frequency of traces in the holts.

• Proceedings of the Korean Association of Geographic Inforamtion Studies Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.217-222
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• 2006

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.298-306
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• 2020

This study was conducted to examine the impact of the correlation between habitat suitability of the Saemangeum lake area for otters and spatial variables (watersides, wetlands, farmlands, urban areas, roads, etc.) on the inhabitation of otters. As a result of the habitat suitability analysis, it was found that 380grids of 1097 grids (34.6%) studied are most suitable and suitable, whereas 413 grids of 1097 grids (37.7%) of the total are marginal and unsuitable. Comparatively analyzing otter traces data against for each spatial variable in the Saemangeum area revealed that the distance to the road or man-made areas is directly proportional to the number of otter traces, while more traces of otters were found areas close to waters. Despite the impact from the internal construction of Saemangeum lake, there found 2 to 6 times more otter traces in the area farthest from the urban areas and roads compared to the area nearest to the urban areas and roads. Thus, when restoring habitats for otters, a minimum of 500(m) distance to roads or urban areas, which can be considered as a threat to the habitats, must be secured.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Environment and Ecology Conference
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• 2010.10a
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• pp.81-84
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• 2010

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Environment and Ecology Conference
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.53-56
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• 2009

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.736-743
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• 2012

The aim of the study is to investigate the food habits of the Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra, and to examine any effects of the construction of the Busan New Port (BNP) on the prey. The frequencies and bulk estimate ratios of the biological debris, taken from spraints collected seasonally during the period from 2005 to 2011 at 16 areas, were analyzed. As the results, it was demonstrated that otters prey mainly on fish but occasionally on crustaceans and gastropods, etc., and the Mugiliformes was the most preferred fish. Although fish debris was observed throughout the season, it was suggested that the amount of fish eaten by the otter seemed to be associated with the amount of fish inhabiting the study area, judging from the striking similarities in the pattern of seasonal variations in each order of the fish between the frequency from the spraints and the fish catch. On the other hand, the frequencies of most of the fish, crustaceans, and gastropods from the spraints decreased from 2010, indicating the decrease of the amount of the prey by the construction of BNP and the strong possibility of the decrease in the number of otters in the near future. This is supported by the other studies, such as one showing a sudden decrease in the number of spraints since 2010, recent decrease in the fish catch, and the increase of marine pollution at this study area.