Wildlife enthusiast Terry Chettle captured an intriguing moment at Grimsby Wetlands in early August while photographing a green heron. A river otter unexpectedly appeared and engaged in playful behavior with the heron, surprising Chettle and the bird.
Chettle, a resident of Beamsville, Ontario, expressed his amazement at encountering the otter, as they are not commonly seen in the area. Seizing the opportunity, he snapped a photo of the otter as it groomed itself on a log, putting on a delightful display for Chettle with a playful gesture.
During the same outing, Bruce and Laurie Mackenzie, who were strolling through the wetland, crossed paths with Chettle. He pointed out the otter to them. Bruce Mackenzie acknowledged the rarity of the sighting, mentioning that it was the first time in recent memory that an otter had been spotted near the wetlands on August 3. As of that weekend, there had been no further sightings of the otter reported by anyone.
The wetland area, previously used by the Niagara Region for sewage storage, is now under the management of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club. Covering approximately 12 hectares along Lake Ontario’s South Shore, the wetlands have been transformed into a popular destination for hiking and bird-watching. Mackenzie, affiliated with the naturalists club as a project manager for the wetlands, highlighted how the otter sighting reflects positively on habitat restoration efforts and water quality. The wetlands have previously attracted sightings of rare species like least bitterns, contributing to their conservation value.
Describing otters as a conservation success story, Laura Timms, a program manager at Credit Valley Conservation, emphasized the significance of otters making a comeback in the region. The conservation authority, overseeing the Credit River watershed, published an article in 2025 documenting the resurgence of river otters in the area. Timms noted a noticeable upward trend in otter sightings, contrasting with a decade ago when otter reports without photographic evidence were often mistaken for minks.
While specific otter population figures are not tracked by the conservation authority, Timms highlighted the positive shift in otter numbers across North America, attributing it to long-term environmental restoration efforts that have enhanced the overall health of ecosystems. This revival has led to more frequent documented otter sightings, including instances of otters giving birth to pups at conservation areas like Rattray Marsh and Jim Tovey Lakeview this year.
For more biodiversity enhancements, Timms stressed the importance of conserving various habitats, especially wetlands, which play a crucial role in supporting diverse species, sequestering carbon, and mitigating flooding. Maintaining and restoring these habitats are essential for the sustained growth of all species and the promotion of conservation successes akin to the otter’s resurgence.