Volume 11 Pages 1 - 57 (April 1995)

Citation: Gutleb, A.C., Henninger, W., Loupal, G. and Kranz, A. (1995) Evidence for Illegal Attempts to Kill Otters (Lutra lutra) in Austria . IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 11: 10- 13

Previous | Contents | Next

Evidence for Illegal Attempts to Kill Otters (Lutra lutra) in Austria

A.C. Gutleb¹, W. Henninger², G. Loupal³ and A. Kranz⁴

¹ Institute of Medical Chemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, Linke Bahngasse 11, A-1030 Vienna
¹University Clinic of Radiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Linke Bahngasse 11, A-1030 Vienna
³ Institute of Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, Linke Bahngasse 11, A-1030 Vienna
⁴ Institute for Wildlife Biology and Game Management, Agricultural University, Peter Jordanstr. 76, A-1180 Vienna

The otter (Lutra lutra) is fully protected under hunting laws in most European countries (MACDONALD and MASON, 1990). Nevertheless there is some evidence for illegal hunting and lead pellets were found in animals (MADSEN et al., 1994; TOMAN, 1995).

In Austria there are attempts to collect all otters found dead, although dead otters belong principally to the hunters. The number of known cases of dead otters is increasing over the past years and most of the carcasses were given to us. On all these carcasses necropsy including x-ray, histopathology, bacteriology, virology and parasitology is conducted. Whenever possible the age of the animal is determined following the method of HEGGBERGET (1984).

17 otters found dead (1989-1993) were collected and stored deepfrozen prior to further examination. On all otter carcasses x-rays have been carried out. In two otters both from the Waldviertel, the main area of otter distribution in Austria (GUTLEB, 1994), fragments of bullets were found in the x-rays.

Case 1: A male animal, about 9 years old, was slain with a wooden stick on the court of a farm (8.1.1993). The man claimed his fear from rabies as the reason to kill the animal. Though the otter had non suppurative encephalitis, rabies could be excluded by immunohistology.

Radiographic findings: lead shotgun pellets were seen caudal and near to the left jaw joint, at the base of the right orbit, at the caudal aspect of the 13th thoracic vertebra, and at the cranial articular processes of the 7th lumbar vertebra. Various fragments of bullets of 6x7 mm respectively 7x4 mm in size and irregular contours could be seen in the mid of the right orbit and at the distal and cranial edge of the right tibia. Superimposed to the skull and the left hind paw many very small fragments of bullets - abrasions - were found. Fractures of the right zygomatic arch, the right branch of the mandible and of the bones of the calvaria could be detected. Bilateral omarthrosis and spondylosis could be seen (Fig. 1).

Necropsy: In the subcutis of head and neck there were multiple large haemorrhages. In addition to the fractures demonstrated in the x-ray we found multiple fissures in the neurocranium. The fragments of the bullets lay in the tissue without any reaction.

Figure 1. X-ray of a male otter, whole body, dorsoventral projection: lead shotgun pellets and various fragments of bullets spread over the whole body (case 1) (click for larger version)

Case 2: A male otter (age not determined yet) was found dead near a road (21.4.1993). The animal obviously had died after a collision with a car.

Radiographic findings: a 7x8 mm large square fragment of a bullet with irregular contours was found in the 9th intercostal space. Another smaller fragment 4x3 mm in size could be seen superimposed to the lateral end of the 10th rib, another very small amount at the 6th rib. Pneumothorax was detected in both pleural spaces. The abdominal structures were not clearly visible due to suspected intraperitoneal fluid. Fracture of the pelvis was obvious, luxation of the iliosacral joint could not be excluded, but no alteration on vertebrae and ribs was seen.

Necropsy: While the abdominal cavity was completely filled with blood, there was only a slight haemothorax. In the pelvic region we found severe haemorrhage in the muscles additional to the lesions seen in x-ray. Again there was no reaction around the fragments of the bullets.

Both animals died because of traumatic insults (one animal was slain, the other died after a collision with a car). As in both cases the fragments of the bullets lay in the tissue without any reaction it is proved that the animals did not die due to the shots. In addition the lead levels in liver and kidney of the two animals were far beyond what is assumed to be critical for mammals. Mobilization of lead from the pellets had therefore not occurred. The otter of case 1 had fragments of two different sorts in its body. So it must be assumed that this animal had been wounded twice.

Although it is forbidden to hunt otters throughout the whole year the finding of two animals with pieces of metals in their body gives a strong indication for illegal hunting practice

REFERENCES

Gutleb, A. C. (1994). Todesursachenforschung Fischotter - Grundlage für ein Schutzkonzept von Lutra lutra (L. 1758).  Forschungsbericht Fischotter 2, WWF-Forschungsbericht 11: 12-25.
Heggberget, T. M. (1984). Age determination in the European otter Lutra lutra. Z. Säugetierkunde 49: 299 - 305.
Macdonald, S. M., Mason, C. F. (1990). Action plan for European otters. In: Foster-Turley, P., Macdonald, S. M., Mason, C. F. (eds.): Otters - an action plan for their conservation. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, 29-40.
Madsen, A. B., KANSTRUP, N., SØGAARD, B. (1994). Lead pellets in Danish otters Lutra lutra. In: Council of Europe (eds.): Seminar on the conservation of the European otter (Lutra lutra). Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, 7-11 June 1994, 209-211.
Toman, A. (1995). Ilegální lov vydry rícní. Bull. Vydra 5: 67-69.

Previous | Contents | Next