Wildlife enthusiast Terry Chettle captured a surprising encounter between a green heron and a river otter at the Grimsby Wetlands in early August. Chettle, a resident of Beamsville, Ont., was taken aback by the otter’s presence, considering it to be uncommon in the area. He managed to photograph the otter as it moved to a log and began grooming itself, even putting on a playful display for Chettle, sticking out its tongue and waving.
During the same outing, Bruce and Laurie Mackenzie, who were exploring the wetland, joined Chettle and were also amazed by the rare sighting. Bruce Mackenzie described the otter sighting on August 3 as a unique occurrence, possibly the first near the wetlands in recent memory. The wetlands, covering approximately 12 hectares on Lake Ontario’s South Shore, are under the management of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club. Mackenzie, who works with the club, highlighted the significance of the otter sighting as a positive indicator of habitat restoration and water quality in the area.
The reappearance of otters in the region signifies successful conservation efforts, according to Laura Timms, a program manager at Credit Valley Conservation. The conservation authority oversees the Credit River watershed, where otters have been making a comeback, as documented in a publication from 2025. Timms noted a marked increase in otter sightings, indicating a positive trend in their population recovery.
River otter numbers plummeted in the 1800s due to factors like hunting, habitat destruction, and poor water quality. However, concerted efforts to restore degraded environments have led to a resurgence in otter populations across North America. Timms emphasized the importance of ongoing conservation work to protect various habitats and ensure the thriving success of all species, not just otters.