Wildlife enthusiast Terry Chettle captured a delightful moment at the Grimsby Wetlands in early August while photographing a green heron. Unexpectedly, a river otter appeared and playfully interacted with the heron, surprising both Chettle and the bird. Chettle, a resident of Beamsville, Ont., expressed his amazement at the rare otter sighting in the area and seized the opportunity to photograph the otter as it posed on a log, showcasing playful gestures like sticking out its tongue and waving.

Bruce and Laurie Mackenzie, who were exploring the wetland that same day, joined Chettle in observing the otter. Bruce Mackenzie acknowledged the rarity of the sighting, mentioning that it was possibly the first otter sighting near the wetlands in recent memory, with no reports of the otter seen since that weekend. The area, once a sewage storage site for the Niagara Region, is now managed by the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club, covering approximately 12 hectares along Lake Ontario’s South Shore. Mackenzie, involved with the naturalists club as a project manager for the wetlands, emphasized the positive impact of habitat restoration and water quality, citing previous rare species sightings like the least bitterns in the wetlands.

Regarding the conservation efforts, Mackenzie expressed excitement about the diverse species making appearances in the area, indicating successful rewilding in the Golden Horseshoe region. Laura Timms, a program manager at Credit Valley Conservation, highlighted the conservation success of river otters in the region. The conservation authority, overseeing the Credit River watershed, published an article in 2025 detailing the resurgence of river otters in the area, indicating a significant upward trend in sightings. Timms noted the improved frequency of documented otter sightings in various conservation areas this year, including instances of otter pups being born.

While the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority stated that they do not monitor wildlife populations, the Hamilton Conservation Authority did not respond to inquiries. Timms explained the historical decline of river otter populations due to hunting, water quality issues, and habitat destruction in the 1800s. However, she highlighted the positive trend of otter populations rebounding in North America, attributing it to decades of environmental restoration efforts that have benefited various species.

River otters, known to grow up to 1.4 meters in length and weigh between five to 14 kilograms, are carnivorous mammals that reside in rivers, lakes, and creeks. They feed on fish, clams, insects, and other aquatic creatures and are known to construct dens in their habitats. Timms emphasized the importance of conserving biodiversity beyond otters, stressing the critical need to restore and protect habitats like wetlands that support a wide array of species, store carbon, and mitigate flooding risks.