A rare sighting of an otter in Canary Wharf, London, has been celebrated by rewilding experts as a significant achievement for urban wildlife. The footage captured by local residents exhibited the otter exploring its environment, highlighting the species’ comeback from near extinction in the mid-20th century. Despite still being rare in Greater London, there's hope that enhanced urban habitats and conservation measures could lead to more frequent sightings. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has initiated plans to reintroduce otters into the city’s waterways, reiterating the commitment to supporting this species’ rebound.
It's absolutely fantastic to see footage of a healthy-looking otter captured on CCTV moving through the highly urbanised Canary Wharf area. This is a wonderful reflection of the recovery otters have experienced in recent decades, having faced near extinction in the mid-20th century.
Otters remain a rare sight in Greater London, but in a future where we more fully embrace nature within the city, it would be wonderful if sightings like this became far more common.
The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), once nearly extinct in many parts of England, has been making a comeback, with populations recovering due to improved water quality and conservation efforts.
Plans to reintroduce otters into London's waterways were outlined by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan earlier this year, with an initial commitment of over 800,000 to support these efforts.
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