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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

What did we do on our day off? We went whale watching! This juvenile humpback whale swam around and under the boat for more than half an hour.

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NE Ohio Regional Sewer District @neorsd.org · 30/09/2026

ok leaving this up on the conference room whiteboard

“they don’t know” meme but the man wears a NEORSD hat and stands waist deep in water with otters swimming around him. he says “they don’t know this river burned 13 times”

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

River otter napping in the sun... (Video by K James)

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Save Mount Diablo @savemountdiablo.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

This November, vote NO on Prop. 45! Prop. 45 would gut the California Environmental Quality Act, which is our state law that protects the land and us from environmental harm. The passing of Prop. 45 would fast track development threats throughout the state, putting more wildlife habitat at risk.

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

River otter mother ignores her three full-of-beans pups. (Video by K James)

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Our research into river otter predation of brown pelicans is highlighted in SF Gate today. www.sfgate.com/local/articl...

sfgate.com

River otters are hunting and drowning pelicans in a Bay Area lagoon

"It's a lot of bang for their buck."

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

River otter basics: Mother, pup, fish. (note the paws on the pup!) Video by K James

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

First river otter pup of the year seen on one of our research cameras! Mom says, "Come along now."

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Something new. This river otter carcass was found on the shoreline of an estuary in Northern California. The purplish coloring on the teeth occurs post-mortem, likely from the carcass being submerged for some time. The color on only the top teeth indicates dorsal recumbency (floating on its back).

Close up photo of the head of a river otter carcass. The visible top teeth have a purplish color. The bottom teeth are white.

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Here's a romp of river otters romping around. (video by the great K James)

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Here's an interesting river otter sighting for #WorldOtterDay. A mother otter with her piebald pup. Photo by Susan Asaturian.

Mother river otter with her piebald pup shown with their heads just above the surface of a lake.

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Lauren 🎃'Neal @laurenoneal.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

To learn more about weird otters of the past (and present), read Romp!, a fantastic book about otters I edited that I will be flogging anytime it's relevant for the foreseeable future. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775730...

penguinrandomhouse.com

Romp! by Heide Island, PhD: 9780593855034 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

An expert on otters dives into their wild and wondrous world You’ve heard of a murder of crows and a pride of lions—but what about a romp of otters? In this informative and entertaining book,...

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Now is a good time to get a Resist tee shirt or hoodie! Our sale ends Monday morning.

Why do we have a RESIST tee?

Because our waters have never needed us more.

Water is the thread connecting everything ROEP works to protect. Right now, the federal policies dismantling Clean Water Act protections, defunding watershed science, and weakening public lands oversight are direct threats to the waterways that otters (and communities) depend on.

Resisting federal overreach in this context isn't abstract politics; it's defending the legal and regulatory infrastructure that keeps pollutants out of waterways, maintains flow regimes, and upholds the science-based management that conservation work like ROEP's relies on. When agencies lose capacity or authority to enforce water protections, the burden falls on local organizations, community scientists, and advocates — making the case that strong federal water law isn't bureaucratic overreach, but the backbone of healthy watersheds.

Otters for Waters and Waters for All!
$8 from each item goes to River Otter Ecology Project. Campaign ends on Monday.
Many colors and styles for men, women, and children.

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Lauren 🎃'Neal @laurenoneal.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Happy book birthday to Romp! by otter scientist Heide Island, a delightful dive into everything you ever wanted to know about otters and a perfect gift for any animal lover (or Taylor/Travis fan)! Buy it here: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775730...

My hand holding the book Romp! by Heide Island, which features an otter on the cover.

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Our new Resist tees are here! Available for 1 week only. Support democracy, otters, and our shared waterways.

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

A bit of joy on #EarthDay. River otters are indicators of waterway health and symbols of the success humans can achieve in restoring ecosystems for all species, including ourselves. youtu.be/FfPxL9L4gs4

youtu.be

Two otters playing are more fun than one.....

YouTube video by River Otter Ecology Project

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California Coastal Commission @thecacoast.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

“We need people to understand you never save a place. It’s always being saved. Whether it’s a national park, or a reserve, or a Marine Protected Area, they require constance vigilance in order to maintain that protection. Be informed. Be involved. And never give up.” —Peter M. Douglas 🌎🌊

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CEQA Works @ceqaworks.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

SB 954 restores the most essential public health and environmental safeguards removed by SB 131 last year. Contact your legislator and urge them to support SB 954 and push for strong limits on toxic industry near neighborhoods: findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

This bunny and snake video seems appropriate for today...

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Nice article about river otter recovery in the Great Lakes region (with a brief mention of our work). "What matters is simple: otters are back. And their presence proves something worth remembering. Healing is possible. Ecosystems can recover." www.rewildingmag.com/the-river-ot...

rewildingmag.com

The River Otter's Remarkable Comeback

In North America’s Great Lakes region, river otters are coming back from the brink thanks to decades of effort on both sides of the border.

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

River otter comedy troupe... (video by Curtis C)

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Nice article abut some fantastic, low-tech wildlife crossing infrastructure built by Dr Randy Chambers, Director of the Keck Environmental Field Lab at College of William & Mary (our alma mater). "One animal in particular spurred this project — the river otter." news.wm.edu/2025/11/19/a...

news.wm.edu

A safer passage for wildlife

A team of William & Mary volunteers gets creative to help animals cross Jamestown Road.

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

A bald eagle considers its options after trying, unsuccessfully, to steal the river otter's fish. (Photo and Otter Spotter report by G Kitts)

Photo shows a bald eagle and river otter on a lake shore. The eagle is standing, looking straight ahead. The river otter is crouched in the shallow water, and has a fish in its mouth.

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

As a supporting organization of the Save Newark Wetlands initiative, we thank @sfbaykeeper.bsky.social and Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge for challenging the reckless approval of this development proposal.

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Cunning salmon eludes 3 river otters on the prowl for a meal. (Otter Spotter report and video submitted by G Hanly.)

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

New Year's day Otter Spotting... 6 river otters along a rushing urban stream. (Video and sighting report by C Chang)

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Some river otter shenanigans, with gratuitous fish-stealing at the end. (Video by the endlessly wonderful K James)

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CEQA Works @ceqaworks.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Welcome to the new CEQA Works partners. @350sacramento.bsky.social Californians for Western Wildernes @envdefensefund.bsky.social Food Access LA @greenlatinos.org @plasticpollutes.bsky.social @riverotterecology.bsky.social @whollyh2o.bsky.social Thanks for helping keep CEQA strong!

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Habitat comes in many forms... This urban creek spillway spills river otters. (Video and Otter Spotter report by Courtney C)

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Feeling badgered on #GivingTuesday? There's an otter way: River otters are indicators of something bigger: the health of our watersheds, the resilience of ecosystems, and the impact of restoration. Plus they are adorable (just like badgers). donorbox.org/support-heal...

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

River Otter Play Time... (video and sighting report submitted to our #OttersforWaters partner @elizabethriverproj.bsky.social by Tammy B)

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Our word of the day is Kleptoparasitism -- for example, when one animal steals food from another. Here's a coyote stealing a pelican carcass from a group of river otters. (Video by Mark Sawyer)

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

So many river otters... (Video and Otter Spotter Report by Sheila M)

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

This afternoon we watched salmon spawning in our local creek. No river otters in sight...

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

In case you were wondering... Yes, it's hard to get any work done when a spotted owl is perched right outside your office window all day.

Spotted owl perched on a branch of a coast live oak tree.

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

A romp of river otters on the Verde River, Cottonwood, AZ. (video by an anonymous observer) #OttersforWaters

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Our National Parks are treasures that depend on all of us to protect them. #NationalParks

A Message for National Park Visitors During the Shutdown
With many National Parks operating with limited or no staffing during the government shutdown, now is the time to be the best visitor you can be. Pretend there's a ranger right beside you, giving you that friendly smile (as they do), and follow these essential guidelines:
1. Pack it in, pack it out. Trash services may not be available-take everything home with you.
2. Yes, that includes human waste. Don't leave it on or near trails. Learn proper disposal methods (in the first comment).
3. Respect no-dog signs. No exceptions, no excuses. These rules protect both wildlife and your pet.
4. Practice ethical wildlife photography. If an animal is looking at you or changes its behavior, you're too close. Back away and give them space. After a busy summer season, wildlife deserves peace in their own home.
5. Be kind, be courteous, share best practices with others.
Our parks are treasures that depend on all of us to protect them. Let's show them the respect they deserve.

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Sometimes a bobcat falls right to sleep in front of your research camera. 1/2

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

River otter catches a fish, but her pup nabs it and runs away.

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Derelict concrete is a habitat element for these urban river otters. (Video by K James)

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River Otter Ecology Project @riverotterecology.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Suburban street as a wildlife corridor. Top-notch Otter Spotting by Taylor R

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