In a disheartening turn of events, a bronze otter statue, described as beloved, has been stolen from Nadaka Nature Park, prompting the Gresham Police Department to seek the public’s assistance in its recovery.
According to reports, the theft occurred within the past two weeks, with park officials only realizing the statue was missing on May 3rd after David Bauman, a member of the Gresham Outdoor Public Art (G.O.P.A.), noticed its absence.
The stolen otter sculpture, standing at two feet tall, was part of a set installed in August 2017, alongside a raven statue, both crafted by local artist Rip Caswell and his son Chad. While the raven remains in the park, the otter’s disappearance has left a void in the community.
The G.O.P.A., an organization dedicated to enhancing outdoor spaces with public art, expressed their dismay over the loss, particularly noting the community’s attachment to the otter, affectionately named Slider, and the raven, known as Seeker. Board president Judy Hahn emphasized the neighborhood’s collective effort in naming the sculptures and appealed for Slider’s safe return.
Efforts to recover the stolen statue have extended to contacting local metal recyclers, who have been advised to be vigilant in identifying potentially stolen metal. The hope is that Slider may have been taken with the intention of being displayed in someone’s yard, rather than for malicious purposes.
Anyone with information regarding the theft or the whereabouts of the otter statue is urged to contact the Gresham Police Department’s tip line at 503-618-2719, in hopes of reuniting Slider with the community that holds him dear.
