On social media, a video of otters crossing roadways in Singapore with the assistance of the police has gone viral. The footage, which was purportedly shot on a multilane road near Singapore’s presidential palace, shows police officers pausing traffic to allow a frolic of otters to safely pass.

The creatures in the video appear to be Lutrogale perspicillata, which are the biggest species of otters in Southeast Asia and are famed for their velvety coat.

While otters are ubiquitous in Singapore, the video appeared to be quite intriguing and charming to non-residents.

The number of otters in Singapore has grown dramatically in recent years. Locals frequently share footage of the otters mounting fences, relaxing in the sun, cautiously crossing roadways, and even engaging in territorial “gang battles” with other otters.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong released a video showing otters crossing highways near the Istana, Singapore’s president’s palace and office. The Prime Minister praised the Istana employees for aiding the animals while sharing the cute video.

Though otters in Singapore’s urban surroundings generally coexist peacefully with people, there have been incidents when they have assaulted humans and even encroached on private ponds in search of valuable Koi fish that are customarily kept as pets.

According to Reuters, a British man was attacked by a group of otters in a park and got 26 wounds.

Source: The Indian express