Encounters with wildlife are always moments of extraordinary beauty and humility, whether planned or spontaneous.
For me, the dream has always been to catch a glimpse of a wolf or perhaps even a majestic lynx in their natural habitat. So far, I haven’t had the privilege.But for some, the dream isn’t just a longing; it’s a reality.Natalie Therese and her partner were fortunate enough to experience an unforgettable encounter as they drove home from a bed-and-breakfast along the Columbia River in Washington.
Encounters with wildlife are always moments of extraordinary beauty and humility, whether planned or spontaneous.For me, the dream has always been to catch a glimpse of a wolf or perhaps even a majestic lynx in their natural habitat. So far, I haven’t had the privilege.But for some, the dream isn’t just a longing; it’s a reality.Natalie Therese and her partner were fortunate enough to experience an unforgettable encounter as they drove home from a bed-and-breakfast along the Columbia River in Washington.
Back in 2021, Natalie and April were peacefully driving along the rain-soaked roads of the Columbia River when something caught their eye.The misty, damp weather made it initially challenging to discern what lay ahead – it appeared to be little more than a furry lump.“My partner thought [they were] just a clump of dirt or something!” Natalie told The Dodo.As they drew nearer, the situation took a dramatic turn.
“[I] yelled to watch out and pull over,” Natalie recounted.Upon closer inspection, they realized the furry clump on the road was, in fact, three small baby otters.It became evident that these youngsters had become disoriented after their mother swerved to avoid another vehicle, leaving them stranded on the road.With the anxious mother undoubtedly watching from the forest’s edge, Natalie, a passionate animal lover, endeavored to guide the otters back to safety.Despite the language barrier between humans and otters, Natalie gently coaxed the youngsters away from the road.“I gently encouraged them off the road,” Natalie described her efforts.
