Lincoln Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

North American River Otter

Lontra canadensis

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 8, 2025

1. North American River Otter Marker

Inscription. River otters are a local success story! They nearly vanished from Illinois a century ago due to fur trapping and pollution, but reintroductions in the 1990s helped them recover.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 41° 55.282′ N, 87° 38.098′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lincoln Park. It can be reached from Stockton Drive near Webster Avenue. The sign is in the Pritzker Family Children's Zoo section of Lincoln Park Zoo. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60614, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker: A different marker also named North American River Otter (here, next to this marker); Helping Wildlife Thrive (a few steps from this marker); Grey Seal (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Grey Seal (within shouting distance of this marker); Friedrich Von Schiller (within shouting distance of this marker); Eadie Levy's Landmark Café (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lion House, Lincoln Park Zoo (about 300 feet away); Japanese Macaque (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. A larger version of this sign with the same text can be found closer to the entrance into the Children's Zoo section.

Also see . . .
1. Lincoln Park Zoo official site. (Submitted on March 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Outdoor Illinois Journal: River Otters Make Their Return to Urban Chicagoland Area.

Excerpt: "Five river otters may not seem like much, but their presence in Cook County is a marker of one of the most successful wildlife reintroduction efforts in American history. Before the 1800s,
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 8, 2025

2. North American River Otter Marker
river otters lived in all 48 contiguous states, Canada and Alaska. However, increased human presence and activities reduced river otter range and populations exponentially."

(Submitted on March 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Pritzker Family Children's Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 8, 2025

3. Pritzker Family Children's Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo

Two markers related to the North American River Otter are near the entrance to the children's zoo. One is visible in this photo behind the children's zoo sign, and the other is farther back.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 115 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.