Originally published Thursday, February 24, 2005 at 12:00 AM
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A sea otter found in Seward may be the first in Alaska with a parasite that has harmed otters in California. The sea otter was found with...
SEWARD, Alaska — A sea otter found in Seward may be the first in Alaska with a parasite that has harmed otters in California.
The sea otter was found with antibodies to toxoplasma, a protozoan parasite, said Carrie Goertz, a veterinary rehabilitation manager at the Alaska SeaLife Center.
The parasite is widespread among sea otters in California. The Seward sea otter is the first detected case of toxoplasmosis Goertz had heard of in Alaska.
Toxoplasmosis is a microscopic protozoan that causes symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis in animals. It attacks the neurological function in otters, she said.
The Seward sea otter may have acquired it from eating clams contaminated with parasite eggs.
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