VIDEO: Little river otters, ducking under cars on Beach Drive

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:40 PM TUESDAY: Thanks to Lura for the video recorded tonight along Beach Drive SW, south of Me-Kwa-Mooks. Those are two young river otters, first spotted, she told us, under a car – as you can see in the video, they emerged from beneath one car, and loped along to a spot beneath another one. While river otters are often seen swimming in Puget Sound off West Seattle shores, their dens are on land, so you might suddenly see one crossing your path (as shown in our 2012 photo from Duwamish Head) or crossing a road … be careful!

P.S. Want to know more about river otters? Take a deep dive with this state Department of Fish and Wildlife infopage.

ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: Didn’t realize until a message from Cassie that today is World Otter Day!

kate May 31, 2017 (6:03 am)

We live off of Beach Dr and have an adult otter hanging out in our ornamental fresh water pond in the evenings at dusk. He sits in it like it’s his own personal tub. I’m tempted to bring him a martini and a plate of sardine appetizers. He brings us much joy but don’t feed the wildlife!

JulNJer May 31, 2017 (6:17 am)

I want to squeeze those little cuties. Great job spotting them, Lura, and thanks for sharing the video. Only downside is now I’ll lie awake worrying about them getting hit by cars.

John May 31, 2017 (7:59 am)

Please don’t hit them with your car! I’m always amazed at how fast a vehicle will drive past wildlife….and you know the driver sees the wildlife (not in this video though). People simply just don’t care and can’t have anything slow them down……

Waikikigirl May 31, 2017 (8:29 am)

@Julnjer…you and me both… watching those cars go by makes me scared for those 2 little cutie-pies they’re so low to the ground that even if a driver was keeping a good eye on the road they may not see them in time to stop! :>(

And was that one riding on top of the other???

James May 31, 2017 (12:02 pm)

So that’s what that was! Pretty sure I biked past one last night.

Lynn Shimamoto May 31, 2017 (4:00 pm)

Become an Otter Spotter! If you are interested in contributing to a community science project, report your otter sightings to the Woodland Park Zoo using the following link:

http://www.zoo.org/conservation/otterspotter#.WS9KMzOZM8b

This conservation effort monitors the population of river otters as an indicator of the health of the Lower Duwamish Waterway.

WSRedux May 31, 2017 (9:19 pm)

We live on the north side of the dead end spur of SW Admiral Way (west of 63rd & Admiral) at the top of the small hill behind the Alki Point lighthouse. We built the house in 2008 and included a 4′ wide x 7′ long x 3.5′ deep concrete tank with a fountain as a water feature near our front steps. Little did we realize it would become a focal point for wildlife, especially during the summer dry season. Crows and raccoons use it continually and every year we’ve had river otters doing laps in it at night. I think they enjoy a fresh water bath after their daily search for food in salt water. Last year our water feature also served as a dating bar…a big male was a frequent visitor and left pretty smelly marks with each visit. One night we caught him preening and prancing in the gravel around the tank, being watched by a female about half his size. After 10 minutes or so she must have decided he was an ok suitor because they scuttled off together into the warm summer night. If you have a pond, tank such as ours or any outdoor source of fresh water, I urge you to maintain it and not shut it off. As the dry days of summer stretch on, any source of fresh water is precious to local wildlife who have a precarious relationship with humans in the best of circumstances.

Lura June 1, 2017 (8:53 am)

Continued sitings have revealed that the two babies are NOT abandoned. Mother otter tells them to wait while she fishes. Well-meaning strangers keep wondering whether someone should capture the little darlings and take them to an animal shelter, where they would likely be euthanized, or “put them back in the water” where they would likely drown. NO don’t do that. Stop traffic if they are crossing the road, but otherwise, please just let them be. Sure it is tempting to feed them, but it could make them smell weird and keep Mother Otter from doing her job, so let’s not do that either.

WSB June 1, 2017 (9:02 am)

Thank you for the update!
- Robert June 8, 2017 (11:55 pm)
  
  These two little critters have moved into our back yard on beach drive. Have not seen mom for a few days. They seem to be struggling more each day. Anyone have suggestions on who to contact for some assistance?
  - WSB June 9, 2017 (1:05 am)
    
    When Lura first told us about them, it seemed she and neighbors had already made some calls. But if you think they’re in trouble, you could call PAWS for advice https://www.paws.org/wildlife/found-a-wild-animal/ …
    - Robert June 11, 2017 (12:18 am)
      
      Friday we transported the weakest sibling to the south sound critter care center in Kent. Saturday morning we located the other and did the same. Both were very, very weak, but have a chance for recovery. If they make it, they will spend the next year in a rehab center then likely make their way back to the area. Fingers crossed they survive. It’s tough being an otter in the city!
    - WSB June 11, 2017 (12:24 am)
      
      I haven’t heard of that place before. Will add it to our resource repertoire. Hope they will be OK. Wonder what happened to mom?

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