An otter was spotted swimming in Trowbridge’s polluted River Biss, marking a rare wild sighting for locals.

A resident of Trowbridge, Becca Field, spotted an otter swimming in the River Biss near the town centre on November 13, 2025, describing the encounter as surprising and memorable. She initially mistook the animal for a fish or beaver before capturing photos of it thriving despite pollution concerns. Field, who has lived in the area her whole life, said she had only seen otters in zoos before, making the wild sighting rare. The observation highlights the return of wildlife to urban waterways, even in areas with environmental challenges, and has drawn attention to the ecological health of the River Biss.