The fox has fallen! The River Otter (Lontra canadensis) continues its momentum through the tournament, entering through one of the First Four qualifiers to topple the defending champion from last year! However, now it faces its biggest challenge yet in the form of the hugely popular Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus).
We’ve talked a lot about these creatures already. They’re charismatic but they can also be ruthless. They are predators, after all, but they’re far from invulnerable. Without protected habitats to call home, we won’t see the beautiful river otter in our streams, and we won’t hear the iconic whoo-ooo of the great horned owl in our trees. These species don’t just look good; they’re vital for keeping our ecosystems in balance. And when these creatures have access to protected healthy ecosystems, so do we, and we become healthier as a result.
As you make your choice about who goes forward to the Championship Match this Friday, and who faces off in the Consolation Final (Thursday), think about the habitats that support these creatures and helps them thrive, and consider protecting those habitats, now and for the future, through a donation to rare.