Wildlife enthusiast Terry Chettle was capturing images of a green heron at the Grimsby Wetlands in early August when he and the bird were unexpectedly startled by a river otter’s playful antics. The resident of Beamsville, Ont., was taken aback by the otter’s appearance, as they are not commonly seen in the area. As the otter moved to a log and started grooming itself, Chettle seized the opportunity to snap a photo of the charming display.
During the same day, Bruce and Laurie Mackenzie were strolling through the wetland when they crossed paths with Chettle, who pointed out the rare otter. Bruce Mackenzie acknowledged the rarity of the find, mentioning that the sighting on Aug. 3 was possibly the first recorded near the wetlands in recent memory. No subsequent sightings of the otter have been reported in the area since that weekend.
The wetlands, previously utilized by the Niagara Region for sewage storage, are now managed by the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club and encompass approximately 12 hectares along Lake Ontario’s South Shore. Mackenzie, who is associated with the naturalists club and oversees wetland projects, highlighted the significance of the otter sighting as a testament to successful habitat restoration and improved water quality. He emphasized previous rare species sightings in the wetlands, such as the threatened least bitterns in Ontario.
Describing otters as a conservation triumph, Laura Timms, a program manager at Credit Valley Conservation, emphasized the positive impact of rewilding efforts in the Golden Horseshoe region. The conservation authority, responsible for the Credit River watershed spanning Mississauga and Peel Region, published an article in 2025 documenting the resurgence of river otters in the area. Timms noted a noticeable increase in documented otter sightings over the years, including instances of otters giving birth to pups at conservation areas like Rattray Marsh and Jim Tovey Lakeview.
While river otter populations faced a decline in the 1800s due to hunting, deteriorating water quality, and habitat destruction, Timms highlighted a resurgence in North American populations. She credited this recovery to sustained environmental efforts aimed at revitalizing degraded ecosystems, benefiting various species.
Noting the importance of preserving biodiversity, Timms stressed the significance of wetlands in supporting a diverse range of species, storing carbon, and mitigating flooding. She emphasized the ongoing need to restore and safeguard habitats to facilitate the thriving of all species and foster more success stories in conservation akin to the otter resurgence.