As a park ranger, you come across all sorts of things—some beautiful, others downright surprising.
That was the case for Tyler Bank, a ranger in Oregon, who recently had an encounter he’ll never forget. While on patrol at Cove Palisades State Park, something unusual caught his eye.
Curled up in a ditch near the road was a large brown lump. But when he looked closer, Bank realized it wasn’t just a pile of fur. It was two unexpected little creatures in desperate need of help.
An Unexpected Discovery
To his amazement, Bank found two tiny orphaned otter pups huddled together. Without hesitation, he contacted the State Police Wildlife Center, who then helped him transport the animals to Think Wild Central Oregon, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility.
Once there, the otters were given immediate care.
Following a veterinary exam and initial health check, the team worked to keep them hydrated and stable. But they were careful not to let the pups get too accustomed to human contact.
Since these were wild otters, too much exposure to people could jeopardize their ability to survive once released.
Instead, the staff made sure the sisters stayed together. They snuggled side by side, finding comfort and security in each other’s presence. Slowly, the otters began to regain strength—and soon, they were ready for the next step in their recovery.
When the pups were strong enough, the Think Wild team arranged their transfer to the Wildlife Center of the North Coast to continue rehabilitation.
The organization explained the decision on Facebook:
“Our two orphaned river otter patients received a veterinary examination at Think Wild to prepare for their transfer to Wildlife Center of the North Coast. There, they will spend up to 12 more months of rehabilitative care before being released back in Central Oregon.”
The move proved to be a success. With dedicated long-term care, the otters thrived.
Back Where They Belong
Think Wild shared the update everyone had been waiting for: the otter pups were finally ready to return to the wild.
Both had learned essential survival skills and were fully prepared for independent life in their natural environment.
“WCNC and Think Wild staff determined that the otters had developed appropriate skills and behaviors for life back in the wild, having exhibited swimming proficiency, hunting behaviors, and social interactions,” the organization announced.
To ease the transition, caregivers provided a soft release by setting up a small holt stocked with food nearby. This temporary measure ensured the sisters had support while adjusting back to river life.
The release was a heartwarming moment for everyone involved. From the day they were found curled up in that ditch to the moment they splashed back into the river, their journey had come full circle.
“Now, these two otter pups are back where they belong – exploring their new river home,” the rescue concluded.