Polar Bear - Westover, Connor

Polar Bears and the Arctic Problem

Help Save the Polar Bears by Donating here:

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Ecology:

At 10 feet tall and weighing up to 2,000 pounds the polar bear clocks in as the largest land carnivore. Equipped with jagged teeth and large forward canines they are a capable yet majestic creature. In the Arctic, polar bears are on top of the food chain and they play an important role in their ecosystem feeding on a variety of different animals from seals to the occasional walrus. Polar bears feed mainly off of the fat of ringed seals, they are big hungry creatures but are known to leave a large amount of the carcass behind, leaving room for other animals to flourish. This food cycle is what allows the Arctic ecosystem to continue running in a healthy and well-functioning manner. If Polar Bears were removed from this cycle… the effects could be devastating to the entire local ecosystem.

Description:

Polar bears are most commonly known for their fur, it is typically white or light yellow and consists of hairs of different lengths. Polar bears are assumed to have this fur to blend in and to keep them warm, because it is thicker than other bears fur.. Polar bears also have a thick layer of blubber under their fur (see picture right) that gives them warmth and buoyancy in water, their skin is also black underneath all the fur,, also helping retain heat (Endangered Polar Bear). Polar bears also have enormous feet that act as paddles in the water when they are swimming and serve as snowshoes when they are traveling far distances across the ice and snow. Polar bears are considered to be marine mammals, therefore they are extremely strong swimmers. People have reported seeing polar bears in open Arctic waters 200 miles from land (Defenders of Wildlife). These long journeys are part of Polar Bears lives, but with declining sea ice, it may not be possible anymore…

Geography:

The IUCN Polar Bear Specialist Group estimates there to be approximately 20,000 to 25,000 polar bears worldwide. Polar bears range over 5 Arctic nations which are divided up into 19 subpopulations. Right is a map showing where all the subpopulations of polar bears occur. Some of these subpopulations occur in the Seasonal Ice Ecoregion, which means that their region melts in the summer, forcing the polar bears in that area to stay on shore until the sea ice is formed again. Polar bears depend on sea ice in order to hunt and eat arctic seals, seek mates and raise their cubs, to make denning areas, and also to travel long distances. Below is a map describing these Season Ecoregions.

Listing Date and Type:

-The polar bear was listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act on May 15, 2008 (6).

This listing was based off of the decline of sea ice in the Arctic. This loss of habitat is continuing to threaten the existence of polar bears and it is unlikely that polar bears will be recovered. Therefore, polar bears are at risk of becoming endangered in the near future (Marine Mammals Management).

Causes of listing:

First and foremost, arctic warming is what is causing the Polar Bears the biggest problems. Science shows that the melting of the sea ice is increasing rapidly, being the main habitat for polar bears, this is a massive amount of habitat destruction. Arctic Warming is just another effect of global warming, this isn’t the only thing affecting Polar Bears. Human caused removals, disease/parasites, oil spills, and gas development are also leading contributing factors for why polar bears were evaluated in the 2008 listing as a threatened species (11).

Recovery Plan:

The Seven most important factors (Described on Page 40 of Recovery Plan) that could help to lead the Polar Bears off of their Endangered Species Listing are as Follows:

1. Limit global atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases to levels appropriate for supporting polar bear recovery and conservation, primarily by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
1. This is essential, not only to polar bears but the earth itself. Stop Global Warming.
2. Support international conservation efforts through the Range States relationships
1. The Arctic Nations (Range States) most closely associated with Polar Bears, should be backed internationally to be the leaders in conservation efforts.
3. Manage human-bear conflicts
1. Decreased Ice may push polar bears inward towards human developments, it is key to have an understanding relationship with these people and the bears.
4. Collaboratively manage subsistence harvest
1. Recognizing and limiting Human caused removals of polar bears and polar bear subsistence’s.
5. Protect denning habitat
1. Identifying and protecting past dens, current dens and possible future dens of Polar Bears.
6. Minimize risks of contamination from spills
1. Essential to all wild life, increase in Oil and other substance shipping possess a threat to ocean related wildlife, such as polar bears. Controlling these spills would lead to a healthier polar bear population.
7. . Conduct strategic monitoring and research
1. Evaluated and updated the effectiveness of these objectives and the plan itself through several avenues including the monitoring of Polar Bears themselves.

For More Information and the entire recovery plan please select below:

Recovery Plan

To immediately learn more about polar bears and the threats they are facing as a threatened species, watch this documentary, “Ice Bear” on YouTube. (picture linked)

For other involvement in the Polar Bear effort please visit polarbearsinternational.org

• This site lets you go as far as adopting your own polar bear, meaning they pick a polar bear in the arctic that your donations directly effect

References:

https://www.fws.gov/alaska/PDFs/PBRT%20Recovery%20Plan%20Book.pdf

http://www.defenders.org/polar-bear/basic-facts

http://www.endangeredpolarbear.com/description.html

http://www.fws.gov/alaska/fisheries/mmm/polarbear/esa.htm

Point Arena Mountain Beaver by Elizabeth Whisler

Saving the Point Arena Mountain Beaver

What is the Point Arena Mountain Beaver?

            The Aplodontia rufa nigra, or the Point Arena Mountain Beaver, is one of the seven subspecies of mountain beavers ranging in the Pacific Northwest that have a lifespan of five to six years. They weigh between two and four pounds and are around one foot in length. They are compact, stout, and somewhat cylindrical in shape and possess a laterally compressed, broad skull. Their coloring is darker and blackish unlike in other species of beaver. They are semi-fossorial and stay in their underground burrows the majority of the time. When they do come up it's for the purpose of foraging on the surrounding vegetation for their herbivorous diet. The ratio of males to females is 1:1 and their breeding season is from mid-December to late June and dispersal occurs from mid-April to late September. Females will begin breeding at two years old and birth one litter a year consisting of two or three offspring, which shows their relatively low reproductive output. The most important factors for their habitat consist of a cool thermal regime, adequate soil drainage and softness, an abundant food supply, and a high cover of woody plants. 

            Geographic and Population Changes

            Lead Region: California/Nevada region

            Mountain beavers appear in many areas around the Pacific Northwest (Fig. 1), however the Point Arena subspecies is found in only a 24 sq. mi. coastal area in western Mendocino County in California (Fig. 2). There are only 26 separate populations of this mountain beaver with an estimated total population of 200 to 500 beavers.

Figure 1.  Global range of the Mountain Beaver, Aplodontia rufa, shown in dark grey

Figure 2. Global range of the Point Arena Mountain Beaver, Aplodontia rufa nigra, shown in red

            Listing Date and Type of Listing

            Date Listed: December 12, 1991

            Endangered

            Final Plan - Published June 2, 1998

            Cause of listing and Main threats to its continued existence

            The cause of listing was because of the sharp decline in population. Main threats include urban development, land being used for agriculture, and construction of transportation and utility facilities. Livestock also has an effect by altering vegetation and causing their burrows to collapse or be crushed. Other threats include invasive plants, domestic pets, rodent control, pesticides, vehicles, vegetation fires, and timber harvesting. The last example is a problem because they are extremely sensitive to vibrations and loud noises.

            Recovery Plan

            Actions Needed:

            1. Protect known populations.

                     2. Protect suitable habitat, buffers, and corridors.

                     3. Develop management plans and guidelines.

                     4. Gather biological and ecological data necessary for conservation of the subspecies.

                     5. Determine feasibility of, and need for, relocation.

                     6. Monitor existing populations and survey for new ones.

                     7. Establish an outreach program.

                    
                     Estimated Cost of Recovery:

                    

                     $1,047.000±.The total cost of this conservation effort may be higher than this prediction since some costs for various tasks needed for recovery have not been determined.

                     What can you do?

            There are many ways in which you can help the conservation of the Point Arena Mountain Beaver. These include:

            When buying wood, make sure it's not from this beaver's habitat.

            If out in nature in this area, make sure to be aware of the beaver and be careful to not disturb it or it's burrows.

            Do not use either rat poison or pesticides in your home.

            Call or contact your local government to push for the hunting of this beaver to become illegal.

                     For More Information Visit These Sites!

https://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2005/04/research2.html

                     http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/1869/0
            https://www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=C2F75916-1

            References

                     "Point Arena Mountain Beaver Species Profile." U.S Fish and Wildlife. Arcata Fish and Wildlife Service, 11 Apr. 2011. Web. 04 June 2015.<http://www.fws.gov/arcata/es/mammals/mtnBeaver/mtnbeaver.html>.

                     U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1998. Point Arena Mountain Beaver (Aplodontia ru/a nigra(Rafinesque) Recovery Plan. Region 1, Portland, OR. 71 pp.

Jaguar (Panthera onca) by Hannah Weingarten

thejaguarjournal.wordpress.com

JAGUAR 
(Panthera onca) 
  
Overview:
The Jaguar is a large, carnivorous feline mammal. This predator mainly resides between Arizona and New Mexico area and southbound towards Argentina and Brazil. Currently, researchers estimate there are approximately 15,000 jaguars left throughout the entire world. Considered endangered under the Endangered Species Act, the jaguar has been under careful observation for numerous years now. As a keystone species, the jaguar is vital to the animals and entire economy it resides in. Without it, the herbivore driven prey species would demolish most of the plant species and throw off the entire ecosystem as a whole.
                                                                       

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cypron-Range_Panthera_onca.svg

Geographic and Population Changes
Throughout the past few years, the jaguar population has decreased fairly steadily. Jaguars used to be fairly populous especially throughout El Salvador, the United States, and Brazil. However through poaching, human interference, and habitat destruction has lead to this species only inhabiting 46% of their historical roaming range. These large feline cats prefer to live in warm, tropical environments, usually being savannas or tropical rain forests. Jaguars also prefer middle latitudes, where a lot of the time humans move in and destroy their land. With forests being torn down, jaguars are forced out of they homes, forced to liv vulnerably in an unfamiliar habitat, and made more vulnerable to poaching. All of these factors have lead to both decreased geographic and population numbers. 

Listing Date and Type of Listing 
Date Listed:03/28/1972
Type of Listing:Endangered,Threatened
Recovery Plan: December 20,2016

THREATS

http://images.sciencesource.com/preview/7H3572.html

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/borneo-pygmy-elephant

Placed upon the endangered list, jaguars are vulnerable to numerous constant threats to its existence. The biggest threat to the species as a whole, has little to no involvement with the environment itself, humans are the biggest detriment to the sufficiency of the species livelihood. Deforestation and poaching are the two largest threats to the extinction of jaguars. Farms, ranches, roads, cities, and numerous other man made facilities are the reason trees, particularly tropical forest like the ones jaguars thrive in, are being destroyed completely. Humans drive for more consumeristic goods and facilities, is way too strong for the jaguar population to recover and thrive properly. With their unique spotted coats, poachers strive to hunt and kill this incredibly valued animal to profit from. Although hunting them is against the law in numerous places, 
poachers continue to try to get their hands 
on these giant felines. 

Recovery Plan
Assess:
-First assess the needs and various threats harming this species. The species is threatened and growing increasingly endangered as time passes. Assess the habitat (usually tropical forests) and focus on how we can protect and conserve their territory, decrease rate of deforestation and factors similar to that. 
Improve:
-Study these mammals, their habits, strengths, and weaknesses then act upon them. Attempt to improve genetic fitness so they can better adapt, positively influence demographic conditions, and in general increase the stamina and health of the species as a whole.
Population Increase:
-To better feed and nourish the jaguar population, an increase in prey species needs to be introduced. Whether that mean increase current population of prey by taking some aside and multiplying quicker, or introducing more options (such as more small rodents) for a meal, prey population size needs to be increased.
Increased Habitat:
-Reducing deforestation is key to preserving and increasing jaguars and their habitat. Building upon what we already have, reducing our paper usage, planting more trees, and nourishing the environment will lead to increased habitat and population for the jaguar. 
Decreased Human Effect:
-Lastly, decrease the impact of human effects on the jaguars and their habitat. Decreasing human effects and direct jaguar fatalities (hunting) will further push these felines closer to removal from the threatened and endangered species list. By lessening the amount of habitat we destroy, utilizing other resources we currently posses, and halting hunting of jaguars, the species will begin and continue to recover from its detrimental loss of population.

HOW YOU CAN HELP!
There are many ways each and every person can help push jaguars and their population numbers in a positive direction! Here are just a few ways we can help:
1) Adopt a jaguar! Support and track the movement of a jaguar!
2) Donate! Not only can you donate to your specified adopted jaguar, but you can also give money to numerous foundations protecting and advocating for the preservation of jaguars!
3)Reduce hunting! Hunt only during designated hunting seasons of the year. 
4) Stay informed! Keep updated with the status of jaguars and how you can continue to fight for and protect these precious, vital animals to the ecosystem and the world around you!

Other Resources
Follow the links to these websites to stay informed, donate, or just support the protection of jaguars!
Defenders of Wildlife
http://www.defenders.org/jaguar/how-you-can-help
WCS
https://www.wcs.org/our-work/species/jaguars 
National Geographic
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/06/jaguars-big-cats-explorers-conservation/                                                                                                           

SOURCES UTILIZED

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=A040

Recovery Plan

https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/Jaguar%20Draft%20Recovery%20Plan%2020%20Dec%202016.pdf

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/15953/0

Animal Diversity Web

http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Panthera_onca/

By Hannah Weingarten

Saving the BFF: Black-footed Ferret (Vo, H)

11 November 2017

Saving the BFF: Black-footed Ferret
By Heather Vo


The What?
BFF Description and Ecology

Black-footed Ferret ("Black-footed Ferret")

This little guy is a black-footed ferret, or Mustela nigripes if you prefer, and the only ferret species native to the Americas (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 14). Adults are 19-24 inches and weigh about 1.4-2.5 pounds, about the weight of a can of vegetables (15). Their natural habitat is grasslands where they use prairie dogs as a source of food and prairie dog burrows as their shelter (5). Kits – baby BFFs – are dependent on their mothers for a few months then disperse in the fall to find their own territory (15). Besides mating and maternity, BFFs are solitary creatures, which means each ferret needs a large amount of territory for itself (15).

Where are They?
Geography and Population Changes

Historic Range of BFFs, Corresponding Prairie Dog Species, and Reintroduction Sites (19)

Historically, BFFs were found throughout the Great Plains, mountain basins, and grasslands of North America wherever prairie dogs – indicated with the different colors – occurred (19). Currently, all BFF populations are the result of reintroduction sites, shown by the numbers above that correspond to these sites in chronological order (19). In 1979, BFFs were actually thought to be extinct, until a remnant population was found in Wyoming in 1981 (“History of the Black-footed Ferret”). All wild ferrets were captured, and 15 of the 18 captured are the ancestors of all known populations today (“History”). There are about 418 adult ferrets in the wild today, and the rest are in breeding captivity populations (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5).

Are They Endangered?

Listing Date and Type of Listing

Yes! BFFs are listed as a 2C endangered species, meaning they are at a high degree of threat but there is also a high recovery potential (13). BFFs were first listed as endangered in 1967, listed again in 1970, and “grandfathered” into the Endangered Species Act in 1973 (13).

What Happened?

Cause of Listing and Main Threats

BFFs rely heavily on prairie dogs for food and shelter, but from the 1800s to the 1960s, prairie dog numbers dwindled due to habitat destruction, poison, and plague (5). Much of the Northern Plains was converted into agricultural land, and to get rid of the prairie dog “pests” (in the eyes of ranchers), zinc phosphide poisoning was used (50). More recently, sylvatic plague, the same bacterium that caused black plague in humans, has been devastating both prairie dog and BFF populations (28). Current main threats are decreasing prairie dog populations and sylvatic plague.

What's Being Done to Help?

Recovery Plan Summary

Projected BFF Population with Maintained Conservation Trends (75)

The BFF Recovery Plan claims BFFs can be downlisted to threatened status by 2023 and delisted completely by 2043 if current conservation trends continue (59). With an aggressive conservation push, BFFs could be delisted by 2023 (59). The Black-Footed Ferret Recovery Implementation Team (BFFRIT) will focus on gathering as many partners as possible to recover BFFs by establishing populations where the proper habitat exists without many threats (5). The two main objectives of the recovery plan are to improve management of prairie dogs and protect against sylvatic plague.

BFF Kits in a Captive Breeding Facility ("Record")

By using captive breeding facilities to give the BFFs their best shot at reproduction, populations can increase with the release of new kits to reintroduction sites. To combat recreational shooting of prairie dogs, private land owners are encouraged to charge a fee, which encourages preservation of colonies because these landowners will want to continue to reap the benefits of the fees in the future. To combat sylvatic plague, a vaccine has been produced and will be administered to as many BFFs at the reintroduction sites as possible (33). To combat poisoning, the EPA must be contacted to outlaw the use of these poisons on lands adjacent to reintroduction sites. Finally, more reintroduction sites need to be established so BFFs can reign over their historical territories.

What Can I Do?

Ideas and Resources on How to Help

You can donate to the National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center! This helps research and conservation into keeping the little guys alive and popping out of prairie dog burrows. The World Wildlife Fund offers an adopt a ferret program, and the funds also go to conserving your BFF! One of the largest ways to help, however, is to raise awareness. Tell your friends. Tell them to tell their friends! Make it a hot topic and you’ll inspire dozens, maybe hundreds, of people to save the only ferret endemic to the Americas. Write to your legislators to let them know about this little critter who needs our help. Go! Inspire the world!

Other Resources

Fort Collins Museum of Discovery Ferret Cam!

Black-footed Ferret Recovery Plan

National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center

Defenders of Wildlife: Black-footed Ferret Page

WWF: Black-footed Ferret Page

Make a Donation to the National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center

Adopt a BFF through WWF

Works Cited

“Black-Footed Ferret: Mustela Nigripes.” Thinglink.com, ThingLink, 2014, www.thinglink.com/scene/636952354192621568.

“History of the Black-Footed Ferret.” Blackfootedferret.org, National Black-Footed Ferret Conservation Center, blackfootedferret.org/.

“Record Broken for Black-Footed Ferrets.” ZooBorns, ZooBorns, 3 Aug. 2010, www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2010/08/record-broken-for-blackfooted-ferrets.html.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2013. Recovery plan for the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver, Colorado. 157 pp. 

Alyssa Zurbuchen: Northern Sea Otter

Northern Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni)

Specifically the Southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment

http://www.solutions-site.org/artman/uploads/recovery_otters_440.jpg

Who are the Northern Sea Otters?

https://www.fws.gov/alaska/fisheries/mmm/seaotters/
pdf/outreach_life_history.pdf

The Northern Sea Otters are one of the smallest marine animals and the only marine species without a blubber layer. The otters rely on their dense fur coat for insulation from the cold Alaskan waters. Another way they maintain their body temp is thanks to their high metabolism, as they consume 20-30% of their body weight.  They are a generalist species, meaning they eat a variety of prey, ranging from crabs to clams, to sea urchins, using their stomach as a dinner table. 

Otters are also classified as "keystone species" as they have effects on the marine ecosystem. Without the otters foraging for sea urchins, the kelp forests become limited, and "urchin barrens" become present. Therefore, with the otters preying on the sea urchins, they are indirectly saving the kelp forests.

Overall, otters are amazing creatures that need attention and care to ensure they stick around for a while!

Where can they be found?

They were discovered in Alaska by the Russian Bering expedition in 1741. However, when this happened, it started a commercial fur harvest that lasted 170 years. The otters were extirpated from much of their historical range. When the International Fur Treaty of 1911 was enacted for the protection, there were only 13 colonies left with a total of 1,000 otters, compared to the 300,000 pre-harvest population. After the treaty, otters began to populate the Alaskan regions again, slowly reaching back toward the pre-harvest population numbers at an average increasing rate of 9% per year. 

https://www.fws.gov/alaska/fisheries/mmm/seaotters/criticalhabitat.htm

Because there are seasonal ice shifts in the Alaskan waters, the otters do shift to avoid getting trapped by the ice. They often move tens of kilometers along the Alaskan Peninsula to get to the ice-free Pacific.

Otters occupy a variety of marine habitats including protected bays and estuaries to exposed outer coasts and offshore islands. The otters are somewhat limited in regards to location as they have to dive to the sea floor to forage and they can reach about 100 meters in depth. Therefore, they are most commonly observed a couple kilometers offshore. 

When were they listed?

https://www.fws.gov/alaska/fisheries/mmm/seaotters/
pdf/outreach_life_history.pdf

The Southwest Alaska distinct population of the Northern Sea Otters were listed as threatened in August of 2005. In March of 2006, a recovery team was formed to start drafting a recovery plan for the otters. The final recovery plan was published August of 2013.

What is threatening these otters?

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
animals/orca/#orca-jumping.jpg

Predation↵

Killer whales have been hypothesized as the primary reason for the decline of otters and therefore pose a threat to their recovery. 

Infectious Diseases↵

There are two parasites which were affecting the Alaskan population: intestinal trematode and gastric nematode. These are a result of the otters foraging mainly on fish. Because of this nutritional stress, their poor body conditions lead to high death rates.

https://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/it-took-25-
years-sea-otters-get-over-exxon-valdez-oil-spill.html

Oil Spills and Oiling↵

Otters are quite vulnerable to oil spills as the spills have both a short and long-term effect on the populations. The oil strips the water-resistant nature of their fur and eliminates the air trapped within the fur which reduces the insulative value by 70%. Because of the otters grooming habits, they ingest the oil that is on their fur which damages their internal organs resulting in acute and chronic effects on their survival.

Food Limitation↵

Because the otters are apex predators, the density of their populations may be limited to the abundance of prey. The otters carrying capacity is determined by the increasing mortality by nutritional and energetic stress.

What is being done to help them?

↳Monitor and Research Population

Continue to monitor the otter populations including their vital rates, health and body conditions, and distribution and movements.

↳Habitat Needs and Habitat Protection

Identify the important habitat needs of the otters and construct a conservation plan to ensure the success of their habitats.
↳Manage Impacts of Human Uses

Make sure human interactions, such as accidental captures, fish net entanglement, and intentional illegal capture don't impact the otters' recovery. 

https://www.fws.gov/alaska/fisheries/mmm/seaotters/
pdf/outreach_life_history.pdf

↳Evaluate potential role of    disease as a threat to recovery, develop disease management plans where practical 

Take samples of the otters to examine how diseases impact the otter populations and create a plan to limit the effect the diseases have on the populations.

↳Evaluate role of predation as a threat to recovery

Continue to evaluate the impact of predation on otters and develop a predation management plan when needed.

↳Protect from other natural or human-caused threats

Reach out to mariners to inform them how to avoid striking otters, make sure oil spills don't impede on the otter recovery, and evaluate other potential impacts on otter populations.

What can you do?

http://www.defenders.org/

Adopt a sea otter HERE

By symbolically adopting an otter, the Defenders of Wildlife get the support they need to protect the wildlife we love!

Speak out

With every voice raised for the protection of the otters can make a world of a difference, educating the public about the endangered otters.

Stay Informed

Keep up to date on the current state of the otters to best understand their situation. 

Other Resources:

https://www.fws.gov/alaska/fisheries/mmm/seaotters/
pdf/outreach_life_history.pdf

To view the Northern Sea Otter's full recovery plan click HERE

To read through more specific things to do to help save the otters click HERE

To view a presentation on otters made by the US Fish & Wildlife Service click HERE

https://www.fws.gov/

References

How You Can Help Sea Otters. (n.d.). Defenders of Wildlife. Retrieved 6 November 2017, from http://www.defenders.org/sea-otter/how-you-can-help

Sea Otters. (n.d.). Fws.gov. Retrieved 5 November 2017, from https://www.fws.gov/alaska/fisheries/mmm/seaotters/pdf/outreach_life_history.pdf

Southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment of the Northern Sea Otter. (2013). Ecos.fws.gov. Retrieved 1 November 2017, from https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/Recovery Plan SW AK DPS Sea Otter Aug13.pdf