Hawkins said the discovery came after a camera near the Bronx River captured a surprising image.
"It is just the backside of the river otter, so I didn't want to become the boy who cried river otter," Hawkins said.
After reviewing the image, Hawkins got confirmation that the animal was a North American river otter, most likely a juvenile. He said it is the first otter spotted in the Bronx River on Bronx Zoo grounds since the early 1900s.
"Mom and dad have done their job. He's all grown up and flown the nest so to speak," Hawkins said.
North American river otters can also be seen at the Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn. Hawkins said the animal's appearance in the Bronx is an encouraging sign of the health of the freshwater ecosystem.
"They're sort of one of the last animals to move in once a place is restored so the fact that we are seeing them means all the hard work and progress the city and community members and nonprofits have done is successful," Hawkins said.
The camera that captured the otter was installed about two years ago. Hawkins said it has also recorded a variety of birds and a coyote. Last year, he said, the camera documented another notable visitor.
"I actually saw a North American beaver which was the first beaver in the Bronx County section of the river in 7 years," Hawkins said.
It is not clear whether the otter is male or female. A closer examination would be needed to determine its sex.
Hawkins said he hopes the otter returns, but noted that if it does not, it could indicate that more work is needed to support the ecosystem.
"If I don't see it again that will be sad but might be an indication of may be the ecosystem wasn't quite right and we have more work to do," Hawkins said.
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