River otter spotted in the Bronx for the first time in 100 years

A North American river otter has been spotted along the Bronx River, marking the first documented sighting of the species in the borough in approximately 100 years. The animal was captured on a motion-activated camera in June by scientist RJ Hawkins, who is affiliated with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Bronx Zoo.

The appearance of the otter is being hailed as a significant indicator of environmental recovery. Once common in New York City, river otters were driven out of the five boroughs by the turn of the 20th century due to habitat destruction, water pollution, and unregulated hunting. The Bronx River, which was once described as an “open sewer” due to industrial and domestic waste, is showing signs of biological improvement.

As bioindicators, river otters require clean water and abundant fish populations to survive. Their return suggests that decades of long-term wildlife monitoring and environmental restoration efforts by government agencies, non-profits, and community partners are successfully improving the freshwater ecosystem.