Followup: One fewer Alki otter – but ‘Otto’ is doing okay

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

Last weekend, we featured David Hutchinson‘s video of a river otter, now nicknamed “Otto,” who’s been in view lately on the Duwamish Head beaches. David – who is a Seal Sitters volunteer as well as an awesome photographer – says, “Quite a few passersby have stopped by for a look, and Otto is probably the most photographed wild river otter in Seattle.”

But there’s some sad news from the otter world, too. David and wife Eilene Hutchinson learned from a neighbor that an otter was “in the street near Salty’s. Eilene & I went down to take a look and found an otter dead in the southbound lane. On examination, this proved not to be Otto, who has a small growth on his left rear foot. We moved the otter off the roadway and contacted the city for removal.” He says it’s the second one they’ve seen in about two months, and so we’re reminding you again to watch for wildlife crossing along Harbor/Alki Avenues – river otters, for example, have inland dens, but go out into the bay to look for food, so they cross the road more often than you’d think. P.S. Thanks to David for also reminding us that you can learn more about river otters on the state Fish and Wildlife Department website.

Natalie February 27, 2015 (12:28 pm)

Is it possible to crowd-source a ‘Wildlife Crossing – Please Be Watchful!’ sign for this area? Maybe even here on WSB?

WSB February 27, 2015 (1:02 pm)

Someone asked that here a few years ago but I don’t think anybody picked it up and ran with it. You’d have to research whether such a thing is possible – how to apply, what it would cost – SDOT might know. Also it’s always optimal to work with community councils; this general area is in the Alki Community Council’s purview – they should have some contact info at http://alkinews.com – TR

Scott February 27, 2015 (1:37 pm)

Natalie I agree, but how about Otter crossing.

Mark Lewis February 27, 2015 (3:17 pm)

I’ve seen the otters crossing Alki Ave more than once. Who do we contact to get an “otter crossing” sign?

Sue February 27, 2015 (3:23 pm)

Thanks for this info – I *never* would’ve thought to be looking for otters on the road there.

westseattledood February 27, 2015 (5:15 pm)

Mark Lewis and Alki Community Council:

Check it out: http://anwo.com/store/river_otter_sign.html

Probably want to reach out to SDOT before proceeding too far to see if they are allowed, how many and where they will allow them. Or how private parties can post signage on private property? Edit: Oops, I see TR already pointed you there.

I have been hoping somebody would step up for years and get this task done. Thanks so much for inquiring.

DF February 27, 2015 (5:55 pm)

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER ALSO THAT THIS OTTER ALONG THE SHORELINE IS IN ITS OWN NATURAL ENVIRONMENT A MARINE ENVIRONMENT WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE DOGS. THE PHOTO ABOVE SHOULD BE EVIDENCE ENOUGH TO KEEP DOGS OF THE BEACH SHOULD ONE OF THESE OTTERS BE ATTACKED BY AGRESSIVE DOG.

fauntleroy fairy February 27, 2015 (6:28 pm)

If people would just drive the posted speed limit, I doubt any more otters would be hit. Perhaps speed bumps in that area are in order?

@DF: People are not part of a “natural marine environment” either, but I bet you don’t mind them being around. An aggressive dog is aggressive because it’s been taught to be aggressive – by it’s owner. Please don’t be a hater.