Significant differences in levels of blood haptoglobin occurred between river otters (Lutra canadensis) inhabiting oiled x̄ = 361 mg/100 ml, SD = 38, n = 6) and nonoiled x̄ = 306 mg/100 ml, SD = 87, n = 8) areas of Prince William Sound, Alaska (USA) following the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. Additionally, male river otters from oiled areas had significantly lower body mass (1.13 kg) than male otters from nonoiled areas. We propose oil-related causes for these differences.
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