PORTLAND, Ore. — A bronze otter sculpture is missing from a park in Gresham. Police is asking for assistance in locating the sculpture that disappeared sometime in the last couple weeks.
David Bauman, a member of Gresham Outdoor Public Art (GOPA), first noticed the two-foot-tall bronze otter was missing on May 3 from Nadaka Park at 17615 Northeast Glisan Street.
The bronze otter, along with a raven, was installed at Nadaka Park in August 2017. The raven is still sitting on top of its wooden pole, "looking for his friend," Gresham Police Department said.
"The sad part is the neighborhood really came together to name the otter, Slider, and the raven, Seeker," said Judy Hahn, GOPA's board president. "The community will be missing Slider and members of G.O.P.A would like to see him returned. We’re hoping someone just wanted to put it in their yard.”
Hahn said, however, she has been in contact with local metal recyclers who said they will be very careful not to take metal they suspect is stolen following the otter's disappearance.
The sculpture, along with the raven, were created by Rip Caswell, a local artist, and his son, Chad. GOPA had raised funds for the sculptures to then donate to the Gresham park. Other bronze sculptures have been donated and placed in front of the Gresham Police Department and in Historic Downtown Gresham, Gresham Police Department said.
Anyone with information about the theft or current location of Slider, the bronze otter, is asked to call the Gresham Police Tip-Line at 503-618-2719.
