Wildlife enthusiast Terry Chettle was photographing a green heron at Grimsby Wetlands in early August when he and the bird were unexpectedly approached by a river otter. Hailing from Beamsville, Ont., Chettle expressed surprise at the otter’s presence, as they are not commonly seen in the area. Seizing the opportunity as the otter moved to a log and began grooming itself, Chettle captured the moment on camera.
Describing the encounter, Chettle shared, “It put on a show for me, kind of gave me the tongue out and the wave.” On the same day, Bruce and Laurie Mackenzie, who were strolling in the wetland, met Chettle, who pointed out the rare otter. Bruce Mackenzie acknowledged the rarity of the sighting, mentioning that to his knowledge, the August 3rd sighting marked the first otter sighting near the wetlands in recent memory. He added that no one has reported seeing the otter since that weekend.
Managed by the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club, the Grimsby Wetlands span approximately 12 hectares on the south shore of Lake Ontario. Bruce Mackenzie, who is involved with the club as a project manager for the wetlands, highlighted the significance of the otter sighting as a testament to successful habitat restoration and water quality. He noted previous sightings of rare species in the wetlands, including the threatened least bitterns.
Otters symbolize a conservation success story, according to Laura Timms, a program manager specializing in natural heritage management at Credit Valley Conservation. The conservation authority, responsible for overseeing the Credit River watershed encompassing Mississauga and Peel Region, published an article in 2025 documenting the resurgence of river otters in the region. Timms emphasized the positive trend in otter sightings, indicating a shift from past confusion with minks.
Acknowledging the historical decline of river otter populations due to hunting, environmental degradation, and habitat loss in the 1800s, Timms highlighted the ongoing rebound of otter populations in North America. She attributed this recovery to sustained conservation efforts that have transformed degraded environments into healthier ecosystems, benefiting various species.
While celebrating the return of otters, Timms stressed the importance of addressing other biodiversity challenges. She emphasized the critical role of wetlands in supporting diverse species, sequestering carbon, and mitigating flooding. Timms called for continued efforts to restore and safeguard all habitats to ensure the prosperity of all species and inspire more conservation triumphs akin to the otters’ resurgence.
