A new study has found that hydrocarbon contaminants typically associated with oilsands operations are contributing to decreased penis bone strength among river otters. The male river otter has a penis bone, or baculum, that is typically long, curvy and slender. The study says river otters are considered a "sentinel species" — one which can register the effects of environmental contaminants before other species. Brittle penis bones could impair the species' ability to reproduce, affecting other species up and down the food chain. A river otter's penis bone, otherwise known as a baculum.

Source: CBC News November 29, 2020 09:00 UTC