VIDEO: Otter family turns Beach Avenue into a wildlife crosswalk in Oak Bay<\/p>\n
Published 2:40 pm Saturday, June 20, 2026<\/p>\n
Cyclists and pedestrians along Beach Avenue near Willows Beach were treated to an unexpected wildlife sighting Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
A family of four river otters stopped traffic near Willows Beach this morning, turning Beach Avenue into a makeshift crosswalk. <\/p>\n
Story to come. pic.twitter.com\/w6Ds8luIeG<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Oak Bay News (@OakBayNews) June 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Just after 9 a.m. on June 20, a family of four river otters, a mother and her three pups, brought traffic to a temporary halt as they made their way across the road.<\/p>\n While the mother confidently led the crossing, the three pups trickled in behind.<\/p>\n At one point, the pups paused in the middle of the street, bunching together in what appeared to be a brief embrace before continuing on. Moments later, the mother darted back across the road on what looked like a quick reconnaissance mission.<\/p>\n River otters are commonly seen along Greater Victoria\u2019s shorelines and are often mistaken for sea otters.<\/p>\n Unlike their ocean-dwelling cousins, river otters spend much more time on land and can be found in both freshwater and coastal environments.<\/p>\n The charming roadside encounter drew smiles from onlookers before the family safely continued on its way.<\/p>\n RELATED: VIDEO: Metchosin animal rehab celebrates World Otter Day with pup release<\/a><\/p>\n VIDEO: \u2018Otter-ly\u2019 amazing recovery caught on camera at Metchosin rehab<\/a><\/p>\n VIDEO: Celebrate Greater Victoria otters \u2013 adorable and deplorable<\/a><\/p>\n