Eliot Circular

Gettin’ Frisky

Photo by Rachel Cole-Jansen '12

A raft of river otters took up residence in the Reed canyon in the spring, further evidence that the college’s longstanding efforts to restore the area to its natural balance have found favor among nonhuman constituents. Although otters have been spotted here before, this marks the first time an entire family of the lutrine creatures has descended on campus (no doubt uttering trenchant comments about the Portland weather). They feast on freshwater mussels, according to canyon czar Zac Perry, who spotted the discarded shells of their nightly revels during his rounds. Find out more about the otters, coyotes, steelhead, and mink.