‘Otterly’ Wholesome: S’pore Cop Gives Helping Hand to Otter Family Crossing the Street

Otters are very much alive and thriving on the streets of Singapore.

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In a recent video uploaded on Tiktok by user @novelty2021, a romp of otters is seen frolicking together as they pass by onlookers near the Istana.

You see: ‘Otterly’ Wholesome: S’pore Cop Gives Helping Hand to Otter Family Crossing the Street

The otters’ bodies glistened as their tiny webbed paws left wet prints across the pathway. The romp had to stop by the pedestrian walkway as there were cars zooming by.

One of the younger otters was seen biting onto a fish, bringing its lunch along during the outing.

Then, their hero arrives!

@novelty2021 Singapore police assisting otters 🦦 in crossing the road orderly 🦦🐾👏👏👏👍#ottersoftiktok #sgtiktok #sgnews #sglifestyle #discipline #singaporeanimal ♬ original sound – Eason Biological Technology

A policeman walks over and assists the otters. He claps his hands, guiding the otters forward before proceeding to stop upcoming cars, opening up the street for the otters to cross safely.

The passersby coo as they witness the otters leap to safety.

According to The Guadian, the population of otters has more than doubled since 2019. “There isn’t a place in Singapore where you’d be completely isolated from otters,” said N.Sivasothi, a senior lecturer in biological sciences at the National University of Singapore.

It is easy to spot the otters around the Istana. On the contrary, these cheeky little mammals can be spotted around the country, carelessly wandering into shopping malls or wet markets.

“Living in our city in nature means we coexist with wildlife like otters and get to observe them in our midst,” said Tan Kiat How, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of National Development on a Facebook post.

“As we enjoy the benefits of this, we also understand residents’ concerns regarding incursions into their properties.”

In 2022, joint efforts by the National Parks Board (NParks) and Otter Working Group (OWG) were made to relocate otters to areas isolated from human activity.