The Little-Known Story Of River Otters In Indiana And How They're Making A Big Comeback
By Tori Jane|Published February 01, 2024
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Okay, let’s start this one out on a bit of a bummer note (but it gets way better, I promise): once upon a time, river otters ceased to exist in the Hoosier State. In fact, by 1942, they had been declared extinct thanks to unregulated overhunting and habitat loss – never to return. Or were they? Thanks to some truly amazing conservation efforts over the last couple of decades, otters have made a remarkable comeback. This is the amazing comeback story of river otters in Indiana.
Otters would remain entirely absent from Indiana's rivers for another five decades.
And then came 1995: an ambitious project sought to bring the wild river otter back to Indiana in the best of ways. All we needed, of course, were some otters.
Indiana's Department of Natural Resources contacted the state of Louisiana and arranged for a very special pick-up.
Soon, 300-some odd otters were on their way to the Hoosier State with a new destiny: they would be the lucky group to bring the species back. They were released between 1995 and 1999, and it wasn't long before the little fellas were living their best lives.
They have a long body (like a corgi or a dachshund, but leaner) and webbed feet (also like a dachshund) with a cute little snoot and sharp teeth. They're playful and easy domesticated (don't do that though, please) and are most active at night and around dawn.
Their coats repel water, allowing them to effortlessly glide through the waters of our gorgeous rivers. They are intelligent and crafty, able to problem solve and hunt very well. They are perfectly adapted to the Hoosier State... and we couldn't love them more.
River otters are now present in 87 percent of the counties in Indiana - and what a success they've been.
These little guys have done SO well that in 2005, they were removed from Indiana's endangered species list entirely. If that's not worth throwing a huge party for, I don't know what is. Be right back... gonna go get the cake and streamers. Be sure to bring some fish, crayfish, mussels, or any other yummies that an otter is sure to love.
In the meantime, look at these little otter feets.
Talk about a comeback story! For more information about river otters in Indiana, be sure to check out the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website. There, you’ll find even more about these adorable, playful little water-puppies that call Indiana home.
What are your favorite wild animals in Indiana? Which ones have made the best comeback over the years? Let me know!
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