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° 55.286′ N, 87° 38.098′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lincoln Park. It is on North Stockton Drive near Webster Avenue. The sign is a short walk from the entrance into 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.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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

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are within walking distance 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); Japanese Macaque (about 300 feet away); Lion House, Lincoln Park Zoo (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. A smaller sign with identical text is affixed to a wall a short walk away from here.

Also see . . .
1. Wildlife Illinois: River Otter.

Excerpt: "In the late 1980s, there may have been as few as 100 river otters left in Illinois, but today, river otters can be found in every county."

(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
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 8, 2025

2. North American River Otter Marker
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, 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 March 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.