River Otters

Reintroducing River Otters into the Provo River

Northern River Otter

Lontra canadensis

For the first time in over 100 years, Northern River Otters are a part of the ecosystem of the “middle” Provo River between Jordanelle and Deer Creek Reservoirs.

Utah Wildlife in Need is partnering with Brigham Young University and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources on a three year program to reintroduce Northern River Otters into the “middle” Provo River between Jordanelle and Deer Creek Reservoirs.

This is a three-year program with a goal to bring in another group of 15 otters in 2010. These otters will come from populations on Utah’s Green River and Idaho’s Salmon and Snake River drainages.

If you see an otter on the Provo, please contact us at 801-726-7817 or contact us on the UWIN web-site and tell us where and when you saw a Provo River otter! Also, we need your financial support so threatened and endangered species like otters can continue to thrive in Utah!  Please consider a financial contribution to UWIN!

Three new otters were reintroduced on September 15, 2010.  Click here for a project update.

Click on the provided links to review the first year research report from our field biologists.

June 8, 2010

Demography and Behavior of a Reintroduced Population of River Otters on the Provo River