Indianapolis-resident Nathan Young was wading through the northern end of Eagle Creek Park last fall, following a coyote trail across the reservoir’s soggy mudflats, when he stumbled across tracks belonging to an animal that had never been documented in the park.
The prints were fresh, probably a day or two old, said Young, a certified wildlife tracker. The indentations in the squishy mud harkened to a creature that had webbed toes and distinct claws. Young knew almost instantly the tracks belonged to a river otter.
But he did not realize at the time how unprecedented his discovery was for the park that comprises the city’s largest natural area…