Laura spotted this chap whilst out walking near Feshiebridge.
For more information about the area, visit: www.cairngorms-park.com/Villages/Feshiebridge
Rescued Inverness Otter’s Tenacity Impresses Wildlife Experts
The latest addition to the International Otter Survival Fund’s rehabilitation centre on Skye, is a young adult male otter, found in a building at Inverness Harbour.
The otter, which was reported to be very thin, was having difficulties walking with his back legs. A local SSPCA officer was called, and managed to capture it, and transport to the SSPCA wildlife rescue centre where an assessment was made. From x-rays, it was discovered, that both the animal’s back legs were broken - possibly as a result of a collision with a car. The team at the IOSF were called, and arrangements were made for it to be taken into their care, to be nursed back to health, and hopefully returned to the wild.
Dr Paul Yoxon, of the IOSF says, "The SSPCA officers were impressed by his tenacity and will to survive, as it seems he was in this injured condition for around two weeks as the bones had already started to heal while he was in the wild. This is a really serious injury but it was felt he deserved the opportunity to continue his life."
The cost of care otters receive at the IOSF is funded by the charity from donations, sponsorship, sales from their Ottershop, as well as Otter Watching Days.
At the current time, the IOSF are caring for four otters of various ages – either orphaned, abandoned or injured. Each otter in care, costs around £1,000 per annum, in terms of food, vet bills, etc. With young otters the period of care is a long one, because they stay with their mothers for 12-15 months. The IOSF have to release them at about the same age - if they are released too early they will not survive. If you'd like to help - donations can be made securely, online at: www.ottershop.co.uk
As well as online at www.ottershop.co.uk, sales outlets of the charity’s Ottershop items such as otter books and cuddly toys, can also be found around the Highlands – these outlets include Gairloch Marine Life Centre, Poolewe Tuesday Market, Achnasheen Post Office, the village shop on the Isle of Eigg, Applecross Aromatics, Scottish Natural Heritage Visitor Centre Kinlochewe, and on Skye at the Brightwater Centre in Kyleakin, Clan Donald Centre, Carmina Gadelica in Portree and the Tourist Information Centres in Broadford and Portree.
AND at both forthcoming Ledgowan Fairs, 17 September and 26 November - venue: Ledgowan Lodge Hotel, Achnasheen,Finally, Dr Yoxon reports, "The Inverness otter has settled in well into one of our nursery pens, which allows him to move about and use the small pool. His legs are healing but it will be a few months before we can assess if he will be recovered sufficiently to be released back into the wild. Hopefully this will be possible, but if not we will make sure that he has the safe home which he deserves."
Details of Otter Watching days can be obtained at: http://tinyurl.com/35wlolv
The Ledgowan Lodge Hotel, Achnasheen, has kindly agreed to host a charity auction in aid of IOSF on Saturday 24 September.
On offer will be various Ottery goods including adoption boxes, cuddly toys, books and a unique selection of Border Fine Art otters.
Viewing of the goods will be from 2-6pm on Saturday afternoon with the actual auction starting at 7pm.
If you have any items which you wish to donate for sale at the auction please contact us. We hope many of you will be able to join us at Ledgowan for the evening.
Grace Yoxon
International Otter Survival Fund, Broadford. Isle of Skye IV49 9DE Tel: 01471 822 487 E: enquiries@otter.org
www.otter.org
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