Conservationists in New Mexico are celebrating a major milestone: the state’s wild river otter population has tripled in the past 14 years.
Once native to the region, river otters were extirpated in the 1900s due to overtrapping and habitat destruction. Thanks to reintroduction efforts, these playful creatures have made a remarkable comeback and are now thriving in waterways across the state. Sightings have been reported in communities such as Taos, Angel Fire, Pilar, and Corrales along the Rio Grande, with further expansion expected.
Between 2008 and 2010, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish released 33 otters into the upper Rio Grande, relocating them from Washington. Nick Forman, the department’s Carnivore and Small Mammal Program Manager, explained to KRQE News 13 that these efforts laid the foundation for a growing population. By 2018, studies showed that the otter population had reached around 100 individuals. In recent years, an additional nine otters from Louisiana were introduced to enhance genetic diversity.
To better understand the otters’ distribution and behavior, the department is encouraging the public to participate in citizen science efforts by submitting photos and videos of wild otters they encounter. This data will help conservationists map the animals’ range while they evaluate whether to continue with future release programs.
The river otters’ resurgence is a testament to successful conservation initiatives and a promising sign for the restoration of New Mexico’s native wildlife.