Woman feels sorry for otters trying to cross road in downpour at Tampines Street 21

Does anyone have an otter-shaped umbrella?

Or three.

Three otters were caught in a downpour on Thursday evening (Nov 10) at Tampines Street 21.

Sharing a video of the critters on the side of the road, Stomper Syahirah said: "They were trying to cross the road, but I didn’t stay on to see if they did because it was dark and raining.

"I was surprised to see them because I have lived here for over 20 years and this is the first time I have spotted them in this part of town."

In the video, the otters seemed at first to want to cross the road but changed their mind and scurried away. Then they stopped, thought about it again and turned back towards the road.

When they reached the kerb, they hesitated even though the road seemed clear at that moment.

The video ends without showing whether the otters eventually crossed the road.

Ironically, the pedestrian crossing was just metres away.

"I felt a bit sorry for them. I’m sure they were out of their habitat," said the Stomper.

Here is what NParks says you should do when you encounter otters:

• DO NOT touch, chase or corner the otters. Observe them from a distance. Going too close to the otters may frighten them.
• DO NOT talk loudly and do not use flash photography. Noise and light may scare and provoke the otters.
• DO NOT feed the otters. The otters have their own food in the environment and their natural eating habits keep the ecosystem healthy.
• DO NOT litter or leave sharp objects in the water. Clean and safe waterways filled with fish and aquatic life make good habitats for the otters to frolic and feed in.
• DO keep your dog on a tight leash. Your dog might chase the otters and frighten them, and keeping your dog on a tight leash will help to keep it safe.