Otter Cub Who Lost Mum Is Found On Doorstep

Otter Cub Who Lost Mum Is Found On Doorstep

An otter cub was discovered crying out on a doorstep after becoming separated from its mother during heavy rain. The 10-week-old was found at the back door of a house in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway. He is being cared for at a Scottish SPCA centre by staff who have nicknamed him Buddy. They say he is still weak and underweight, but is getting better. The welfare charity is experiencing its busiest year for otter cubs, currently taking care of 15. Buddy is being bottle-fed milk and hand-fed a diet of fish. He will be introduced to three other otter cubs – named Ebb, Tide and Wave – recently found without their mothers. All four are being cared for at the charity’s national wildlife rescue centre in Fishcross, Clackmannanshire.

“They will stay with us for around a year until they are old enough to fend for themselves back in the wild,” said centre manager Colin Seddon.

“This is a very hazardous time for young otters as they can easily be washed out of their holts by high rivers and at that age they are not accomplished swimmers.

“If separated from their mothers, they may well perish.”

“We would appeal to the public to be watchful, especially in areas affected by the recent floods.”