Thursday, October 23, 2025
38.8 F
Beckley
More

    West Virginia seeks public input for statewide river otter project

    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources has launched a citizen science project to identify the distribution of river otters across West Virginia and is asking members of the public to report sightings through an online survey.

    The survey can be completed online or by using the Survey123 mobile application. To learn more about participating in the survey, visit and scroll down to River Otters.

    As part of the survey, participants will be asked to report river otter sightings and provide details about the otter’s location, the number of otters observed, and what the otter was doing. Submitting a photo of the otter is encouraged.

    The survey, which is similar to the box turtle and rattlesnake citizen science surveys the division has conducted, will provide updated information about the bodies of water river otters currently occupy. Data collected during the survey will help division biologists better manage river otter populations across West Virginia.

    River otters, which were once extirpated in West Virginia, were reintroduced to the state by the division in the 1980s. Since then, river otter populations have stabilized and are increasing in certain areas.

    To learn more about other citizen science projects and surveys, visit .

    Advertisement

    Gooney Otter: Biologist suggests an origin for the strange name of this West Virginia stream

    An old Virginian Railroad trestle spans Gooney Otter Hollow at Covel, West Virginia. (Photo: David Sibray)

    From high among the peaks of Great Flat Top Mountain in southern West Virginia, there descends a stream that bears a unique name, Gooney Otter Creek. But what is a "gooney otter?" The strange placename appears nowhere else in the world, but a renowned wildlife biologist may have the answer.


    Sign up to receive of FREE copy of West Virginia Explorer Magazine in your email weekly. 

    David Sibray
    David Sibray
    Historian, real estate agent, and proponent of inventive economic development in West Virginia, David Sibray is the founder and publisher of West Virginia Explorer Magazine. For more information, he may be reached at 304-575-7390.

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Hot this week

    The legend of the Vegetable Man: How a bloodsucking alien left its mark on West Virginia

    FAIRMONT, W.Va. — A lesser-known encounter with an extraordinary...

    Professors at WVU trace Halloween through ancient, cross-cultural traditions

    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — From cauldrons to candy corn, favorite...

    Account claims lost Swift silver mine delved near Big Sandy River in West Virginia

    HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — One of the most appealing of...

    Eight ghost towns in southern West Virginia worth visiting

    THURMOND, W.Va. — One of the richest aspects of...

    Historic movie theaters in West Virginia: reviving a cultural legacy in rural areas

    ELKINS, W.Va. — Historic movie theaters in West Virginia...

    Topics

    Related Articles

    Popular Categories