River Otter Ecology Project

River otter comedy troupe...

(video by Curtis C)

"Beyond the affinity for nature that otters inspire, Chambers sees them as a good omen for the local ecosystem.
'...when I see otters, I take that as a sign of ecosystem health.'”

A safer passage for wildlife A team of William & Mary volunteers gets creative to help animals cross Jamestown Road.

Nice article abut some fantastic, low-tech wildlife crossing infrastructure built by Dr Randy Chambers, Director of the Keck Environmental Field Lab at College of William & Mary (our alma mater).

"One animal in particular spurred this project — the river otter."

news.wm.edu/2025/11/19/a...

Re-upping this for 2026 #WorldWetlandsDay

@ramsar.org

Photo shows a bald eagle and river otter on a lake shore. The eagle is standing, looking straight ahead. The river otter is crouched in the shallow water, and has a fish in its mouth.

A bald eagle considers its options after trying, unsuccessfully, to steal the river otter's fish.

(Photo and Otter Spotter report by G Kitts)

As a supporting organization of the Save Newark Wetlands initiative, we thank @sfbaykeeper.bsky.social and Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge for challenging the reckless approval of this development proposal.

Cunning salmon eludes 3 river otters on the prowl for a meal.

(Otter Spotter report and video submitted by G Hanly.)

Some of the same otters going upstream.

New Year's day Otter Spotting...

6 river otters along a rushing urban stream.

(Video and sighting report by C Chang)

Contrarian Pets of the Week, Holiday Edition Part 2 Meet Archer, Skippy, Poppy, Banshee, Bambina, Stevie, Lottie, Ollie, Louie, Carmie, Ellie, Radar, Caroline, Loki, and Susie Q!

We're honored that our very own Skipper (Facilities Manager) and Poppy (Incident Commander) are The Contrarian's Pets of the Week (#2 & #3).

#CatsOfTheResistance

contrarian.substack.com/p/contrarian...

Some river otter shenanigans, with gratuitous fish-stealing at the end.

(Video by the endlessly wonderful K James)

Except that this is far from the 1st abandoned attempt to amend the 1982 LCP coastal hazard policies. This is just the latest in a long line of abandoned attempts going back for more than 10 years. SB272 is just a new excuse for doing nothing.

Marin County responded first by abandoning that permit condition, and soon after by abandoning the entire effort to update the coastal hazard plan. They'll try again to update the plan in 2034. The current plan, which dates from 1982, remains in effect until then.
marin.granicus.com/MetaViewer.p...

Welcome to the new CEQA Works partners.

@350sacramento.bsky.social
Californians for Western Wildernes
@envdefensefund.bsky.social
Food Access LA
@greenlatinos.org
@plasticpollutes.bsky.social
@riverotterecology.bsky.social
@whollyh2o.bsky.social

Thanks for helping keep CEQA strong!

Habitat comes in many forms...

This urban creek spillway spills river otters.

(Video and Otter Spotter report by Courtney C)

Feeling badgered on #GivingTuesday?

There's an otter way:

River otters are indicators of something bigger: the health of our watersheds, the resilience of ecosystems, and the impact of restoration. Plus they are adorable (just like badgers).

donorbox.org/support-heal...

Community Science - Elizabeth River Project Community Science The importance of community science Community science plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between scientific research and the general public. It empowers individuals, regardless...

elizabethriver.org/community-sc...

River Otter Play Time...

(video and sighting report submitted to our #OttersforWaters partner @elizabethriverproj.bsky.social by Tammy B)

Our word of the day is Kleptoparasitism -- for example, when one animal steals food from another.

Here's a coyote stealing a pelican carcass from a group of river otters.

(Video by Mark Sawyer)

River otter has mouth wide open with a little fish inside.

Big Teeth. Little fish.

(Photo by Kendall Oei)

So many river otters...

(Video and Otter Spotter Report by Sheila M)

This afternoon we watched salmon spawning in our local creek.

No river otters in sight...

Spotted owl perched on a branch of a coast live oak tree.

In case you were wondering...

Yes, it's hard to get any work done when a spotted owl is perched right outside your office window all day.

Otter Spotter - Friends of the Verde River

verderiver.org/get-involved...

A romp of river otters on the Verde River, Cottonwood, AZ.

(video by an anonymous observer)

#OttersforWaters

#NoKings

River otter with a leopard shark in its mouth.

River Otter with a leopard shark in its mouth.

Jack Scheinman, who took that photo, reported the sighting through our Otter Spotter web portal back in 2022.

Here are a couple of other photos he submitted along with his sighting report.

7 river otters walking along a beach at sunset.

A Message for National Park Visitors During the Shutdown With many National Parks operating with limited or no staffing during the government shutdown, now is the time to be the best visitor you can be. Pretend there's a ranger right beside you, giving you that friendly smile (as they do), and follow these essential guidelines: 1. Pack it in, pack it out. Trash services may not be available-take everything home with you. 2. Yes, that includes human waste. Don't leave it on or near trails. Learn proper disposal methods (in the first comment). 3. Respect no-dog signs. No exceptions, no excuses. These rules protect both wildlife and your pet. 4. Practice ethical wildlife photography. If an animal is looking at you or changes its behavior, you're too close. Back away and give them space. After a busy summer season, wildlife deserves peace in their own home. 5. Be kind, be courteous, share best practices with others. Our parks are treasures that depend on all of us to protect them. Let's show them the respect they deserve.

Our National Parks are treasures that depend on all of us to protect them.
#NationalParks

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