Otter On The Bow At Policemans

[monger]

Some friends say they saw an otter the other day at Policemans.

Anyone else ever seen an otter on the Bow?

[jpinkster]

Don't tell Don.

[jgib01]

Don't tell Don.

 

Too late. By now he's already read this and has his whacking day stick polished and ready to go.

[beeker]

It may have been an otter. But if I had to bet money, I'd bet it was likely a mink. In know, if you have seen both, there is no mistaking one for the other.

Beeker

[monger]

Both guys in their 50's and have been outside quite a bit. Hopefully they can tell a 2 lber from a 10 lber 😃

[bcubed]

Haven't seen one in person, but Brian Keating mentioned him and his wife followed tracks by the weir this winter. Wouldn't surprise me!

[bowbonehead]

Not in a very long time, I believe they tried re-introduce them once but I have seen mink downstream on numerous occasions in the last few years

[jimbow]

pretty sure i saw otters downstream of mac in prior years. I've seen mink too, actually been very close to mink.

[eagleflyfisher]

my friend and I found tracks from 2 otters about 2 k below police last week. I wasnt sure what they were but my friend immediately identified them as otters.

Sounds like we got some otters.

[Sage]

Otters on the Bow in South Calgary, so very possible

[monger]

I guess I need to get out fishing more. I only see weasels, mink and beavers

[DonAndersen]

Guys,

 

Otters have extended their range dramatically over the past 10 years. From a boreal animal, their range now includes alpine and sub-alpine areas. . There are sightings from the Elk, Crow and north. East of Calgary is certainly possible.

Why this range expansion occurred is unknown. There has been very little research on otters. Mostly as they are tough to track. The only paper I'm aware of was produced w/o ever seeing an otter.

Like other predators, it moves with the groceries. There is some belief that trout stocking of lakes, ponds, dugouts and the like have pulled otters into new territory.

This human effect is also apparent in other birds and beasts. Ravens, whitetail deer, crows, raccoons, osprey are examples. They all have benefitted from the "human touch". Other animals have lost. This list is a lot larger.

 

Don

[BrianR]

Don; You can even add Wolverines to the list.The town of Airdrie has had 1-2 of them for 3 yrs.Carmacks was collecting the roadkilled one just north of the Balzac scale yesterday.Grizzlies last summer in Springbank.