Otter spotted for first time in 100 years in New York City’s Bronx River
A North American river otter was captured on camera in New York City's Bronx River, marking the first sighting in over a century. The return of the species is being hailed as a success story for urban conservation and the restoration of local waterways.
Why it matters
This sighting serves as a biological indicator of the success of long-term environmental cleanup efforts in previously industrial urban areas.
A river otter in the Bronx River. Photograph: RJ Hawkins/Wildlife Conservation Society Education Dept A river otter in the Bronx River. Photograph: RJ Hawkins/Wildlife Conservation Society Education Dept New York Otter spotted for first time in 100 years in New York City’s Bronx River Image captured in early June shows animal foraging in the waterway in first since early 1900s, signaling its recovery
Prefer the Guardian on Google An otter has been spotted in the Bronx River for the first time in more than 100 years, in a further sign that New York’s previously befouled waterways are recovering some of their ecological health.
The North American river otter was photographed by a motion-activated camera foraging near some vegetation in the Bronx River, a waterway that flows through New York’s Bronx and empties into the East River.
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