A heartwarming video of an unexpected animal duo has captured the nation's heart, with many suggesting it rivals the emotional pull of the famed John Lewis Christmas advert.
Nocturnal Adventure Captured on Camera
The charming scene unfolded in the historic city of Lincoln, where council CCTV operators witnessed something extraordinary in the early hours of the morning. The footage, which has since taken the internet by storm, shows a fox and an otter running together through the city's streets, appearing to be on a joint nocturnal tour.
The council shared the video on its Facebook page, where it quickly became a viral sensation. The post earned a staggering more than 420,000 views and over 7,000 likes, sparking a flood of delighted comments from the public.
Public Reaction and Expert Insight
Facebook users were quick to draw comparisons to the seasonal advertising campaigns that dominate British television. One user declared the animal friendship 'Better than a Christmas John Lewis TV advert', while another celebrated it as the 'best use of CCTV ever'.
Expressing a sentiment felt by many, one commenter shared their empathy for the fox, writing: 'I felt so sad for the fox when the otter went back in the river, hope they get to adventure together the next night.' A local resident expressed their pride, stating, 'Yes, proud to be Lincoln.'
The sighting was confirmed as highly unusual by Steve Nichol, chief executive of Lincolnshire Wildlife Park in Boston. He described the pairing as 'so odd', explaining that these animals would not normally be seen together. 'If anything they'd be fighting each other rather than walking around the shops,' he remarked, adding that while a fox in a city centre might be common, finding an otter in a populated area is 'highly unusual'.
A Touching Tale for the Festive Season
In their social media post, Lincoln Council highlighted the round-the-clock work of their CCTV staff, who 'see families enjoying the city, friends making memories, and every now and then, an unlikely friendship blossoming.'
They modestly introduced their viral hit, stating: 'It's not quite the new John Lewis Christmas ad, but here, filmed in the wee small hours, is a short film of a fox and an otter and their little tour of Lincoln together.' This genuine moment of cross-species camaraderie, shared on November 22, 2025, has provided a dose of pure, unscripted joy that many feel surpasses even the most carefully crafted festive marketing.
