Today’s search took us up north, close to Texada Island, as we were searching for whales, the seas were calm making conditions nearly perfect for a whale-watching trip. Along our journey we stopped at a Sea Lion haul out and were lucky enough to have both species of sea lion present: The California Sea Lion and the Steller Sea Lion. As you can see from the photos below, there is quite the size difference between these two! Our keen-eyed naturalist even noticed that one of the California Sea Lions had an injury on their flipper! Even though we just got a small glimpse into the life of this sea lion, it didn’t seem too bothered by the small wound. We continued the search, around the northern section of the Strait of Georgia, but after finding nothing except some Harbour Porpoise, we started the journey south. Eventually we found ourselves back in the harbour, without finding any whales. Although rare, it does happen since wildlife can be unpredictable. Not to worry though, each of our guests today will get another chance to try again for free!

Once back in the harbour, there was one final surprise in store, a River Otter! River otters (Lontra canadensis) are semi-aquatic mammals found in freshwater and saltwater habitats across North America, including rivers, lakes, wetlands, and in this case, coastal oceans. They are known for their playful nature and are a common sight in North American waterways. Although river otters typically reside in more remote areas, they can also be found in urban and suburban environments, such as the Nanaimo Harbour. Today this otter was cleaning itself and acting extra cute, at least in our opinion!

River otters are well-suited to life in water, with webbed feet, dense fur that provides insulation and buoyancy, and the ability to hold their breath for up to eight minutes while swimming. They are opportunistic predators, feeding on a variety of aquatic animals including fish, crayfish, and amphibians, depending on the environment they find themselves in. River otters are also social animals, living in family groups or small communities.

In populated areas like the Nanaimo Harbour, river otters have learned to adapt to human presence. They may scavenge for food in garbage cans or search for fish in marinas and fishing docks. Although they are typically shy creatures, they may become bolder in urban environments due to the near-constant presence of humans nearby. They can also benefit from the presence of human-made structures like docks and piers, which provide additional habitat and hunting opportunities.

Despite their adaptability and cuteness, it is important to remember that river otters are still wild animals and should be treated with respect and caution. While they are generally not aggressive towards humans, they may become defensive if they feel threatened or cornered. It is best to observe river otters from a safe distance and avoid feeding them, as this can lead to habituation and may cause them to lose their natural fear of humans. Although the photos may look close, we made sure that neither the guests nor our staff disturbed this otter, and our photos were taken from a safe distance with a long (500mm) lens.

Overall, the presence of river otters in populated areas like Nanaimo Harbour is a testament to their resilience and adaptability as a species. By taking steps to protect their habitat and respect their natural behaviours, we can help ensure that they continue to thrive in both natural and urban environments.

All of the photos from the day were taken by our Marine Naturalist Aly Kohlman, and you can see them below!