Foundling otters are returned to the wild

AN otter cub found crying on a doorstep has been successfully returned to the wild after a year in care.

The cub, named Gribun, was around eight weeks old when it was found and taken into the care of the SSPCA.

Another young otter, Rush, was also looked after by the charity after being found alone on Uist last February and they have both now been successfully released on the Isle of Mull.

They have since been spotted on the island and are said to be doing well.

Wildlife centre manager Colin Seddon said: “Luckily both otters were around eight weeks old so we were able to introduce them to each other and allow them to develop together.

“It’s important to rear otter cubs in groups as they depend on play and interaction with their own kind to learn life skills.

“We don’t release otter cubs until they are at least 12 months of age as that is around the time they become independent of their mother.

“As both of the otters were from the west coast, it was important to release them back in that area.

“The Mull Otter Group has been a tremendous help, monitoring both Rush and Gribun since the release.”

The wildlife centre at Fishcross, Clackmannanshire, treats otters from all over Scotland and has specially designed facilities to care for them.