OTTER CUB FOUND
6th March 2008

Otter cub hiding in a welly - Picture Phil Monckton

On Sunday 2nd March 2008 an otter cub was brought into Paradise Park wildlife sanctuary, Hayle. It had been found in Penwith, and was quickly taken in, kept warm and offered milk, which it took very well. After letting it settle for a while it was then checked over more thoughly, found to be a female and named Lotty. She seemed to be in good health apart from having a tick on one foot. From her weight of just over 1 kilo and length of 53.5 cm from head to tail, she was thought to be between 7 and 8 weeks old. The animal Keepers continued to feed her with milk designed for puppies and then tried her with some white fish, which she also liked. Initially she lost a little weight but is now gaining well.

Keeper Clare Nicol feeds the cub

It has been several years since the Park has taken care of wild otter cubs, so Park Director Nick Reynolds made contact with Kate Stokes, the Pennon Otters And Rivers Project Manager, based at the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. They put together a plan for the future of the young otter, and decided that Lotty should go to the New Forest Otter Owl and Wildlife Park in Hampshire. Two slightly older cubs are currently being rearing there, so Lotty will have otter friends to grow up with. The long term plan is for her to be returned to Cornwall and released near the river she was found. The area where she was found, and will be released, will stay confidential, as a release cage will need to be set up for a period of time before actual return to the wild.

Otter cub and an old boot - Picture Phil Monckton

Nick said that he would like to thank Kate Stokes of Cornwall Wildlife Trust, John Crooks of New Forest Otter Owl and Wildlife Park and Adam Grogan of the RSPCA for all their help.

Cornwall’s otter specialist Kate Stokes, from Cornwall Wildlife Trust said “It is unusual to see otter cubs in the wild, as they are secretive and difficult to see. Otters in the wild in England can breed at any time of year because our winters are not too severe and food is available throughout the year. Normally otter cubs are born in secure and hidden holts or dens. Although Cornwall is a stronghold for otter, they are still a rare and recovering species. Recording otter cubs and breeding holts is a key aim of the Trust and the Environment Agency, statutory guardians of our watercourses. This is the second report of an otter cub this year but unfortunately the first was found dead. We hope that this cub can be released back at the river where it was found next year when it is at least one year old and capable of surviving alone”.

If you would like to know more about otters or to report an otter sighting, please contact Kate at the Cornwall Wildlife Trust on 01872 240777 ext 214.

Although you won’t be able to see the wild otter cub at Paradise Park before it goes to the New Forest on Friday, you can see two other species at their twice daily feeding times.