River otters may have returned to the Bronx River, but it remains legal to trap and kill them in New York State, according to a new report.
Return of a Native Species
The report, published by the environmental group Riverkeeper, suggests that otters are once again present in the waterway after an absence of more than a century. The findings are based on tracks, scat, and other signs observed along the river's banks.
Otters were once common in the Bronx River but disappeared as the river became heavily polluted and urbanized. The river has seen significant restoration efforts in recent decades, which may have created conditions suitable for the species' return.
Legal Trapping Remains
Despite the apparent comeback, New York State law still classifies river otters as a furbearer, meaning they can be legally trapped and killed during a designated season. The state Department of Environmental Conservation sets the regulations, which allow trapping from late autumn through early spring.
Conservationists point out that the otter population in the state is not considered threatened, but the continued legal harvest raises questions about the species' long-term recovery in urban waterways like the Bronx River.
Conservation Concerns
Riverkeeper's report calls for greater protection for otters in the Bronx River, noting that their presence is a sign of improved water quality and ecosystem health. The group urges the state to reconsider its trapping regulations in light of the species' slow return to urban areas.
The report also highlights the need for public awareness about the otters' presence, as they may be vulnerable to disturbance and habitat loss. While the river's cleanup has been a success, the legal status of otters remains a point of contention between wildlife advocates and state authorities.
