Otter cub found alone on Christmas Day as floods increase separation of otters from young

An otter cub was found alone after being washed away and separated from his mother in the recent floods in Scotland.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity was contacted when the eight-week-old was found on Christmas Day at Cameron Reservoir in Fife.

He has since been named Elfie by staff caring for him at the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Clackmannanshire.

Scottish SPCA worker, Sheelagh McAllister, with Elfie the otter cub. Pic: PA

Centre manager Colin Seddon said: “Elfie is in very good condition which suggests he had only recently been parted from his mother when he was found, most likely due to the heavy and high flooding.

“He was really tired when he came in and refused food at first but began taking milk from a bottle the following day.

“We will soon introduce Elfie to Buddy, an otter cub of a similar age who was found crying out for his mother on a doorstep around a month ago.

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

Mr Seddon said last month was a very busy time for the charity with young otters because of flooding, and he asked people to contact them if they come across a cub needing help.