How to Clean Otters in Oil Spills

Oil spills are environmental catastrophes because the oil causes physical harm to animals and ecosystems, and poisons organisms. It coats animals and plants, which damages their fur and skin and can lead to death. Otters keep warm in cold water using their fur, however if coated in oil this mechanism fails and the otters die. It may also try and clean itself and consequently ingest harmful chemicals. Cleaning an otter found in an oil spill is therefore crucial to its survival.

Things You'll Need

Volunteer
Cage or sturdy box
Net (optional)
Towels
Gloves
Dish
Water
Mild detergent
Hairdryer

Instructions

- 1
  Catch the otter and isolate it in a cage or box. Prevent it from returning to the water and covering itself in more oil. Ask for help from a volunteer to do this because it may be difficult to restrain. Use a net if necessary.
- 2
  Restrain the otter to prevent it from attacking you. Although this may require force, it will not harm the otter. Get the volunteer to hold it down by placing two hands across the length of its body -- one just behind its neck and one by its tail.
- 3
  Check that the otter is warm by touching the back of its neck. If it is cool to the touch, wrap it immediately in a towel and rub it to provide warmth. Wear gloves to do this.
- 4
  Put a fresh dish of water in the cage with the otter to rehydrate it. Let it drink for a few minutes, while you prepare for cleaning.
- 5
  Restrain the otter again. Then, wash it using water and a mild detergent. Wash its fur in a similar way to washing hair -- in other words, use circular movements on the body of the otter to create soap suds.
- 6
  Rinse the soap suds off the otter using fresh water. Pat the otter dry using towels. Use firm movements to remove all the detergent suds, plus any remaining oil.
- 7
  Dry the otter's fur using a hairdryer. Switch it to the lowest heat setting to avoid burning it.