S'poreans intervene to defend fatherless Marina otters from Bishan otters

It was a close shave for Marina otters.

Zhangxin Zheng | June 12, 2017, 09:37 AM

On June 11, the Bishan otter family were spotted swimming upstream to the Singapore River, intruding into the territory where the remaining 11 Marina otters currently reside.

Just a few days earlier, the father of the Marina otter family was suspected to have died.

Without Marina Dad, Marina Mum is left fending her 10 pups alone. A clash between the two otter families will prove dangerous to the Marina family, given that they have lost their territory at Marina Bay to the Bishan otters before.

In a video taken by otter-loving photographer Fastsnail, members of the public and otter lovers intervened to prevent nature from taking its course.

The group of humans prevented any potential clashes by gently shooing the Bishan otters away -- waving an umbrella or simply blocking their access to land by standing at the stairs.

Fortunately, the Marina otters were hidden in their holt on land and people stood guard until the Bishan family of otters decided to retreat after two hours

Here's the video:

In a post by OtterWatch, the Bishan otters were seen following the scent of Marina otters, looking for them relentlessly.

Here's the video from OtterWatch:

It is also worthy to mention that this is the first time different individuals -- residents, park connector users and the otter-loving community -- had come together to proactively prevent an otter fight.

Just in case you are also wondering how the remaining Marina otters are coping without Marina Dad: Life goes on for this resilient otter family as the 10 pups have been inseparable from Marina Mum.

Leading 10 pups single-handedly can be difficult for Marina Mum.

May the odds be in the favour of Marina 11.

Related articles:

Daddy otter from Marina family suspected to have died after falling sick last few days

Love blossoms between a Bishan female otter and a Marina male otter despite territorial rivalry

Marina otters move to Singapore River after losing their original home to rival Bishan family

Top photo from screenshot of OtterWatch's video