Singapore’s Otters: The Unexpected Urban Wildlife Stars
Picture this: a 48‑year‑old Italian photographer, Stefano Unterthiner, paddles through more than 30 countries chasing glossy moments of Komodos, bison, and bears. Then he learns Singapore’s otters are the new Instagram sensation—he takes off in January and hangs out in the city’s rivers for over three weeks.
Why the Otters Are All the Buzz
More than just cute fluff, the otters have become a global curiosity. Fans in every corner of the planet—Europe, Asia, the Americas—are asking how they can spot these guys in the Lion City.
Meet the Two Otter Types
- Smooth‑Coated Otters: Up to a metre long, around 11 kg. Hollywood stars of the water world since the ‘90s, spotted in Sungei Buloh, Bishan‑Ang Mo Kio Park, and even Gardens by the Bay.
- Small‑Clawed Otters: Roughly 5 kg each, more elusive, living out of islands like Pulau Tekong and Pulau Ubin.
These creatures have made headlines, from marauding fish ponds in Sentosa Cove to raiding the tarmac at Changi Airport.
Unterthiner’s Epic Otter Quest
He’s not just another photographer. “I’ve always dreamed of working with otters,” he told The New Paper. “Their return here is a hopeful story—an unlikely chance to share wildlife living right in a metropolis.”
His plan: two daily sorties (early dawn, late at dusk) over 21 days, covering over 300 km on a bike, one trapping pad after another. Exhausted at the end, but he captured 10,000 images, edited 4,500 of them, and even published some in the French nature magazine Terre Sauvage.
Thanks to Ottercity and OtterWatch, he knew exactly where to go.
Community & Global Love
Since the first otter sighting at Marina Bay in 2014 and a spotlight by Minister Khaw Boon Wan, Singapore’s otters have become a symbol of urban biodiversity. “It’s heart‑warming to see locals and overseas fans appreciate them,” says N. Sivasothi from NUS biology.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mansur Khamitov of NTU Business School sees otters as a marketing goldmine—a potential new mascot for Singapore’s “Uniquely Singapore” campaign. “Different colours, different vibes, but these creatures could charm tourists in a way no old relic can,” he muses.
What the Numbers Say
- Ottercity: 9,000+ Facebook followers, gaining ~1,000 new fans each month.
- OtterWatch: 40,000+ Facebook followers spread across Ireland, Italy, Russia, Japan, Britain, Australia, Taiwan, and the USA.
They’re here for the story, the smiles, and the splashy Instagram shots. And who knows? They might just steal the spotlight—make Singapore the city where wildlife can chill with the skyline.
