A river otter is recovering after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in Northern California on Friday, leaving the animal with head trauma and in need of urgent care.
The collision happened near Leisure Town Road and Foxborough Road in Vacaville, a stretch local wildlife advocates say has become a dangerous spot for otters crossing near traffic.
The Solano Wildlife Rescue and Education Center issued a public plea on Facebook, asking supporters to help cover the otter’s medical treatment, rehabilitation and transportation costs after the Vacaville crash.
According to one woman, her daughter spotted the injured otter in the roadway and remained by the animal’s side until authorities could respond.
In a Facebook comment, the woman said her daughter found the otter in the road after someone hit him and drove away, then pulled over and waited with him until animal control arrived. She added that she was relieved to learn he was receiving help.
The wildlife rescue later thanked the woman’s daughter for choosing to stop, noting that its team works hard to save the wild animals brought into its care.
Although the otter did not suffer any broken bones, the Solano Wildlife Rescue and Education Center told KRON4 he sustained head trauma and is expected to need about seven to 10 days of treatment.
Its “head swelling should go down during this time,” the organization said.
The Solano Wildlife Rescue and Education Center is a Fairfield-based nonprofit that works to protect local wildlife, rescue injured animals and rehabilitate them before returning them to the wild.
The group has recently treated a female opossum with a fractured lower jaw and rescued and released an illegally trapped coyote.
Those looking to help the injured otter and other wildlife can donate through the organization’s website or via PayPal or Zelle at Solanowildlife@gmail.com.
