Young otter saved near main road in Bideford

UK Wild Otter Trust said it was called to reports of two young otters on the steps near Bideford Quay.

CEO and Founder of UK Wild Otter Trust Dave Webb described how they rescued one of the cubs, but the other one made its way back to water on 22 February.

Mr Webb said the rescued cub, named Taw after the river, had been taken into a 12 month rehabilitation.

He added that it was a female and aged between four and five months old.

The second otter had since been located deceased.

"It's not very old. At that age, and the size that they are, they would not survive in the wild on their own. We know from reports that the mother had been killed on the roads," he said.

"Had we not intervened then would be two dead cubs as opposed to one. Our intervention was absolutely necessary."

Mr Webb explained how usually, the rehabilitation process involves the cubs staying with their mothers for about 14 to 12 months.

"During that time, she would be showing her cub how swim, hunt, play and basically be otters.

"We replicate that behaviour in our rehabilitation process and at the end of the year, and they are showing right signs of wild behaviours, we find a suitable release site and put them back in the wild."

He noticed there has been an "influx" of otters across the country and they have already saved nine this year.