Two otters have been putting in an appearance in a canal in Alkmaar as the species extends its habitat to new areas, local broadcaster NH reported.

Martha van der Horst, who lives on the Schelhoekgracht in Alkmaar spotted the animals late in the afternoon on Friday. “I thought it was a piece of wood or a seal to start with but then I saw it was an otter,” she told the broadcaster. Moments later she spotted another otter nearer to the wall of the canal.

Otters (Lutra lutra) had disappeared from the Netherlands but were reintroduced in 2002. They have since made a home in North West-Overijssel, Friesland, Gelderland and along the river Vecht.

Sightings of otters in Noord-Holland are increasing but according to researcher Kevin Raatjes of environmental organisation Landschap Noord Holland, forays into cities are still rare.

“The animals are very busy finding new territories. In 2019 they entered the province from Almere. They used the peace and quiet of the lockdown to make the jump over the IJ to Amsterdam,” he said.

After lockdown, the otters, who are shy of people, had to cope with busy roads and nature once again, Raatjes said. “The fact that they turned up in Alkmaar means they managed to navigate the distance between Volendam and Monnickendam to Alkmaar, which is quite a feat,” he said.

The sighting in Alkmaar is also special because otters are nocturnal animals and don’t often show themselves during the day.

“They can spot you sooner than you can spot them. Winter is the best time to try and catch a glimpse when the banks of the river are bare, or late at night,” Raatjes said.

Van der Horst, who caught the animals on camera, said she hasn’t seen them since.