They hadn’t seen one there in years …
Recently, members of the San Antonio River Authority’s watershed ecology team were reviewing footage from their trail cameras when they spotted something remarkable. A small, brown creature appeared on the screen, effortlessly making its way across the rocky, leaf-strewn terrain. The discovery left scientists stunned.
“They had to pick their jaws up off the floor before quickly sharing the news with the rest of the team,” said Shaun Donovan, the environmental sciences manager, in an interview with The Dodo.
The unexpected visitor? A North American river otter — a species long absent from this part of Texas.
“These shy animals were once a familiar sight here, but due to habitat destruction and trapping, they vanished from the region,” the San Antonio River Authority shared in a Facebook update. “This marks the first confirmed sighting of a river otter in the upper San Antonio watershed in years!”
Recognizable by their playful nature, sleek fur, and long whiskers, North American river otters are smaller than their sea-dwelling relatives. According to the National Wildlife Federation and the Sea Otter Foundation & Trust, these otters play a vital ecological role by managing fish populations and supporting a balanced aquatic environment.
In recent years, the River Authority has spearheaded numerous initiatives to restore the region’s natural habitats — from ecological rehabilitation and species reintroduction to extensive community outreach programs. And now, their dedication appears to be bearing fruit.
“This sighting serves as concrete evidence that our conservation efforts are making a real difference,” the agency announced.
Motivated by this exciting breakthrough, the team is preparing to launch additional restoration projects. Their ultimate goal? To make river otter sightings a regular occurrence in the area once again.
“We’re hopeful this is just the beginning,” Donovan said. “It would be amazing if one day, seeing a river otter here was no longer a rare event but a common joy.”