CESIUM-137 LEVELS DETECTED IN OTTERS FROM AUSTRIA

Abstract: : Pollution seems to be one of the most important causes for the decline of the European otter (Lutra lutra). The accident in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant added another aspect to environmental pollution. Few data on cesium-137 contents in otters are available, so levels were measured in 3 otters from Austria. All levels found were very low. Pollution seems to be one of the most important causes for the decline of the European otter (Lutra lutra), but very little is known about hazards to otters in Austria due to heavy metals, organochlorines and PCBs. In order to follow the recommendations of the IUCN Otter Specialist Group on the importance of a pollution risk assessment for any otter conservation programme, WWF Austria initiated investigations on this subject. For this purpose there will be a cooperation of the WW