Bronx River Otter Makes Historic Return After 100 Years; Public Invited to Vote on Name
On June 23, R.J. Hawkins, a wildlife biologist associated with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), captured a photograph of a North American river otter in the Bronx River of New York City, marking the first sighting in a century. Experts have verified the image, which depicts the otter's rear. The Bronx Zoo and Bronx River Alliance have suggested three names—Nessie, Ruthie, and Morgan—to honor local changemakers, with public voting available until September 29 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. This sighting suggests a positive trend in the river's ecosystem, recovering from past industrial pollution, alongside the return of other species like beavers and an American mink. The sex of the otter remains unknown.
Key facts
- A North American river otter was photographed in New York City's Bronx River on June 23, 2025, the first sighting in 100 years.
- The photo was taken by a trail camera set up by R.J. Hawkins, an independent wildlife biologist working with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
- The Bronx River Alliance and Bronx Zoo have proposed three names for the otter: Nessie, Ruthie, and Morgan.
- The names honor community changemakers Nessie Panton, Ruth Anderberg, and Morgan Powell.
- Public voting is open via Instagram comments until September 29 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time; the winner will be announced October 1.
- River otters are indicators of freshwater ecosystem health and cannot tolerate high pollution levels.
- The Bronx River was heavily polluted with industrial waste in the 19th and 20th centuries but has been cleaned up over the past 50 years.
- Other species returning to the river include a beaver in 2007 (first in over 200 years) and again in May 2025, and an American mink this summer.
Entities
Artists
- R.J. Hawkins
- Nessie Panton
- Ruth Anderberg
- Morgan Powell
- Javier Lopez
- John Calvelli
- José E. Serrano
- Sarah Kuta
- Kemberly Richardson
- James Barron
- Walter Wuthmann
- Scott Simon
Institutions
- Bronx River Alliance
- Bronx Zoo
- Wildlife Conservation Society
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- WABC-TV
- New York Times
- Gothamist
- NPR
- Smithsonian Magazine
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Bronx River
- Bronx
- New York
- Longmont
- Colorado