In a remarkable turn of events for wildlife conservation on Prince Edward Island, a long-running monitoring project using camera traps has unveiled an exciting surprise: the return of the river otter. Once thought to be locally extinct due to overhunting and habitat destruction, these elusive creatures are back on the island.
The breakthrough came thanks to the work of researchers who set up 40 camera traps around the island, capturing footage of the otters. The findings were reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC), marking a significant moment for conservationists.
The River Otters’ Remarkable Comeback
For years, the wildlife monitoring team had tracked trends in the island’s ecosystems, noticing things like a slight decline in red fox populations and an increase in coyote sightings. But nothing could have prepared them for the discovery of river otters, which had not been seen in the area for decades. A chance sighting in 2016 raised hopes, but it wasn’t until the camera traps confirmed their return that researchers could fully celebrate.
“It was very exciting,” said Hannah Murnaghan, coordinator of the otter monitoring project. “We wish it was a little closer to the camera, but we’re holding out hope that we’ll eventually capture one if they are in the watershed.”
A Subtle Yet Powerful Look at Conservation
According to CBC, the motion-sensitive camera traps, monitored year-round, have allowed researchers to gather vital data on the island’s wildlife. These cameras are placed in various locations to capture footage of animals as they move through their natural environments. For species like river otters, which are difficult to track, the camera traps provide essential insights that would be hard to obtain any other way.
In the case of the river otter, these cameras confirmed what researchers had hoped: the otters are back. This data gives scientists a deeper understanding of the otters’ behaviors and movements, information that can guide future conservation efforts.
Captured by a trail camera A river otter spotted in its natural habitat on Prince Edward Island. Credit: ensington North Watersheds Association
River Otters: More Than Just Cute Faces
Despite their playful appearance, river otters have a much more significant ecological role than many might realize. These little predators consume about a quarter of their body weight each day, feeding on fish, crustaceans, small mammals, and even reptiles. Yet, despite their hearty appetites, they stay lean, thanks to their fast metabolism.
Otters are also considered an “indicator species,” meaning their presence signals that the water quality in their environment is healthy enough to support them. If otters are thriving, it’s a clear sign that the ecosystem is doing well.
“Having the cameras out just gives us a better understanding of what different species are using the riparian area, so that we can strategically plan our projects around that,” said Hannah Murnaghan.