Injury
River otters have a low population density in Prince William Sound .  Twelve river otter carcasses were found following the spill, but the actual total mortality is not known.  Studies conducted during 1989-91 identified several differences between river otters in oiled and unoiled areas in Prince William Sound , including biochemical alterations, reduced diversity in prey species, reduced body size (length-weight), and increased home-range size.  Because there were few prespill data, it is not certain that these differences are the result of the oil spill. 

Recovery Goal 
A return to conditions that would have existed had the spill not occurred.

Recovery Objective
The river otter will have recovered when biochemical indicators of hydrocarbon exposure or other stresses and indices of habitat use are similar between oiled and unoiled areas of Prince William Sound , after taking into account any geographic differences.

Recovery Status
Although some of the differences (e.g., values of blood characteristics) between river otters in oiled and unoiled areas in Prince William Sound persisted through 1996, there were few differences documented in 1997 and 1998. Thus, there are no indications of possible lingering injury from the oil spill, and the Trustee Council’s recovery objective has been met.  River otters were considered to be recovered in 1999.  

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