Journal of Ecology and Environment

The Ecological Society of Korea (한국생태학회)
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Mercury poisoning in Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra)

  • Gyurae Kim (College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Sangjin Ahn (College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Sang-Joon Lee (College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Ba-Ra-Da Koh (Health & Environment Research Institute of Gwangju) ;
  • Soo-Young Choi (College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Ho-Seong Cho (College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio-Safety Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University) ;
  • Yeonsu Oh (College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University)
  • Received : 2023.04.14
  • Accepted : 2023.05.08
  • Published : 2023.06.30
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Abstract

An adult male Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) with ataxia and lethargy was rescued. Through the necropsy of this otter with neurological symptoms, a broad range of vascular damage caused by mercury toxicity in several organs, hepatocellular necrosis, and vacuolation in the brain. In mercury examination, liver, kidney, and hair showed values of 0.878 ± 0.027, 1.807 ± 0.049, and 5.712 ± 0.102 ㎍/g, respectively. Compared with certified reference material, it was confirmed that the concentration of mercury were 6.7 times, 13.7 times, and 43.3 times higher, respectively. When the symptoms and diagnosis results were comprehensively reviewed, this otter's demise was revealed due to mercury poisoning. The mercury concentration in the liver does not exceed the lowest observed effect level of 3.4 ㎍/g. However, even at low concentrations, long-term accumulation can cause symptoms including neuropathy, and the possibility that these heavy metals have accumulated in other wild animals cannot be ruled out. It seems that continuous monitoring using sentinel animals is necessary.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture and Forestry (IPET) through Animal Disease Management Technology Advancement Support Program, funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) (Project No. 122013-2).

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