Published Article/Report
- Serfass, T. L., M. T. Whary, R. L. Peper, R. P. Brooks, T. J. Swimley, W. R. Lawrence, and C. E. Rupprect. 1995. Rabies in a river otter intended for reintroduction. J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 26(2):311-314.
Since 1982, the Pennsylvania River Otter Reintroduction Project has placed 87 river otters (Lutra canadensis) into captivity for pre-release care and clinical evaluation. A rabid otter captured by a Wildlife Conservation officer in northeastern Pennsylvania on 10 February 1992 was the only case of infectious disease detected during the project. The rabies virus infecting the otter was identified as the mid-Atlantic raccoon variant. Occurrence of rabies in an otter intended for reintroduction demonstrates the risk of spreading infectious disease during translocation projects.