NEWS

Photos: Researchers sample Big Sioux River for river otter population data

Erin Woodiel
Sioux Falls Argus Leader
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, looks for evidence of river otters on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids. Areas of raised land with a clear view of the river while still providing cover are likely spots for otters to stay.
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, looks for evidence of river otters on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids. Areas of raised land with a clear view of the river while still providing cover are likely spots for otters to stay.
Erin Bormett / Argus Leader
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, and intern Jessica Kading look for evidence of river otters on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, and intern Jessica Kading look for evidence of river otters on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Erin Bormett / Argus Leader
River otter scat sits along the river bank on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids. The red coloring comes from the outer shell of crayfish, a common food for otters.
River otter scat sits along the river bank on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids. The red coloring comes from the outer shell of crayfish, a common food for otters.
Erin Bormett / Argus Leader
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks intern Jessica Kading kayaks toward a river otter slide on the river bank on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks intern Jessica Kading kayaks toward a river otter slide on the river bank on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Erin Bormett / Argus Leader
Tracks from several animals are seen in the mud on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids. It can be difficult to distinguish between otter, raccoon and beaver paws depending on weather conditions and the age of the tracks.
Tracks from several animals are seen in the mud on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids. It can be difficult to distinguish between otter, raccoon and beaver paws depending on weather conditions and the age of the tracks.
Erin Bormett / Argus Leader
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, and intern Jessica Kading kayak while looking for evidence of river otters on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, and intern Jessica Kading kayak while looking for evidence of river otters on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Erin Bormett / Argus Leader
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, and intern Jessica Kading prepare to take fecal samples from a potential river otter latrine on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, and intern Jessica Kading prepare to take fecal samples from a potential river otter latrine on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Erin Bormett / Argus Leader
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, prepares a swab to collect river otter DNA samples from scat on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, prepares a swab to collect river otter DNA samples from scat on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Erin Bormett / Argus Leader
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, looks for evidence of river otters on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, looks for evidence of river otters on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Erin Bormett / Argus Leader
River otter tracks are pressed into the mud on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids. Otter tracks often come in groups of two with connected toe and foot pads.
River otter tracks are pressed into the mud on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids. Otter tracks often come in groups of two with connected toe and foot pads.
Erin Bormett / Argus Leader
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, and intern Jessica Kading climbs up next to a river otter slide on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, and intern Jessica Kading climbs up next to a river otter slide on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Erin Bormett / Argus Leader
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, collects river otter fecal matter for DNA research on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, collects river otter fecal matter for DNA research on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Erin Bormett / Argus Leader
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, and intern Jessica Kading kayak while looking for evidence of river otters on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Alex Solem, upland game biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, and intern Jessica Kading kayak while looking for evidence of river otters on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, on the Big Sioux River just south of Dell Rapids.
Erin Bormett / Argus Leader