Local resident, Shannon McClelland Turner, was shocked when she spotted three river otters in Okotoks on Monday, Nov. 10.
She posted the video of her sighting to Facebook saying, “I’ve lived in Okotoks for nine years and this is the first time I’ve seen otters! Adorable! Made my day.”
Brian Keating, a Calgary naturalist and co-producer of Great Big Nature, said the sighting is likely in connection with a greater resurgence of otters across southern Alberta.
“According to old records, they were actually at one point relatively common,” said Keating. “But when the beavers were being trapped, during the great beaver elimination time period, otters were collateral damage.”
Keating said otters are slower to reproduce. Unlike beavers, which produce more quickly.
In the 1980s, Martin Jalkotzy reintroduced otters to the Kananaskis area as part of his master’s thesis at the University of Calgary.
“He wanted to see if the habitat would still support a population of otters. He came to the conclusion that it would, and he was involved in a translocation of 11 otters from northeastern Alberta down into the Kananaskis Country,” said Keating.
About five years ago, Keating found the tracks of otters along the Bow River.
“Obviously, they’re moving through the city here in Calgary now and again, so I’m not surprised that they’ve appeared in the Okotoks area.”
Keating said it’s possible the otters spotted in Okotoks could be passing by, as they’re known to travel long distances, or establishing a habitat in the area.
Although he’s hopeful the resurgence of otters in southern Alberta will continue to grow, there is the threat of human activity and natural predators.
“Much to the frustration of biologists and otter enthusiasts, there’s now no limit to the number of otters that can be taken in traplines,” he said. River otters may be trapped under a valid trapping licence during the designated furbearer season for fur management zones.
“If concerned citizens want to make their thoughts known, they should definitely write our government officials and let them know.”
Keating said spotting otters can be rare, so anyone who has the chance to see them should take the opportunity to enjoy it.
“Seeing wild otters is one of nature’s real gifts. Not a lot of people have seen wild otters, and they’re remarkable creatures,” he said.
Otters are predators, so they’re smart, quick-thinking animals. Keating said they love to play and have a sense of humour.
“I think they smile all the time. They’ve got such an attitude towards life.”
Keating said the resurgence of otters in southern Alberta is a remarkable success story. He said it’s the duty of humans to celebrate the animals and protect the landscape so they can continue to increase their numbers.
If you spot any otters, send us a photo at news@okotoksonline.com.