Merced, CA (January 19, 2026) — A recent run through Fahrens Park in Merced turned into an unexpected wildlife encounter for local resident Aileen Fierros, who captured rare footage of two river otters frolicking in the park’s waterways. In the video, the sleek mammals briefly show off in the water before diving and swimming away, delighting Aileen with their playful behavior.
River otters are only sporadically seen in the Merced area, making the sighting exciting for local nature lovers and conservationists alike. The clip shared by Fierros offers a glimpse of these agile, semi-aquatic mammals navigating the riparian habitat as they hunt, play and move between water and land.
The otters seen in the video are likely the North American river otters (Lontra canadensis), a species native to much of the United States and Canada. These mammals are well adapted to life in freshwater environments, sporting streamlined bodies, webbed feet and thick fur that helps them swim efficiently and stay warm in cold water. Adult river otters can grow to around 2.5–5 feet long (including their tail) and weigh between roughly 10–30 pounds.
River otters eat mostly fish but also consume crustaceans like crayfish, amphibians such as frogs, turtles, snails and a variety of aquatic organisms. Their long whiskers help them detect prey in murky water as they dive and forage.
These animals are typically found near rivers, streams, lakes, marshes and ponds, or anywhere with plentiful prey and clean water. While once reduced in numbers due to habitat loss, trapping and water pollution, river otters have been making comebacks in parts of California and the broader Central Valley as environmental conditions improve and watersheds recover.
River otters are not currently listed as endangered in California or at the federal level, but their populations declined sharply during the late 1800s and early 1900s due to a combination of human impacts. Unregulated fur trapping significantly reduced numbers, while widespread water pollution, wetland drainage, and river modification degraded the clean, fish-rich habitats otters depend on. Because river otters are sensitive to poor water quality, contamination from agricultural runoff and industrial waste further contributed to their disappearance from many waterways. In recent decades, stronger environmental regulations, habitat restoration efforts, and trapping restrictions have allowed otter populations to slowly recover in parts of California, including sections of the Central Valley, though wildlife officials note they remain absent from some historic ranges and continue to rely on healthy aquatic ecosystems to survive.
In the Merced region, sightings like Fierros’s are becoming more frequent, suggesting that the local waterways and riparian habitats may support otters at least sporadically, if not more regularly than formerly thought. Citizen reports and shared footage help wildlife biologists better understand where these mammals are thriving in the Central Valley.
