Orphaned otter given second chance by sanctuary

Dòbhran the Eurasian otter was saved by conservationists

An orphaned otter has been released in Mull after a year of care at an otter sanctuary in Skye.

Dòbhran the Eurasian otter was found alone when he was only 10 weeks old and weighed less than 1kg.

The Mull Otter Group rescued the cub and took him to the International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) in Skye.

Grace Yoxon, founder of the IOSF, said: "People often ask, are we ever sad to see an otter go? The answer is always no. Seeing an otter in the wild again is why we do it."

Dòbhran in his enclosure at the IOSF

The IOSF is an international charity dedicated to saving otters and advocating against illegal otter trade.

The charity also works with local schools to educate young people on wildlife conservation.

In Scotland, the IOSF said it cared for 11 otter cubs this year.

Six otters - Baird, Dòbhran, Marina, Mist, Storm and Wally - have been released, three remain in care, and two are to be released in spring.

Dòbhran's rescue

Dòbhran as a cub when he first arrived at the IOSF

Dòbhran was found by the group beside a greenhouse as a young and malnourished cub in October 2022 by the Mull Otter Group.

Members later found an otter dead on a nearby road which they believed to be Dòbhran's mother.

Otters rely on their mothers up until 12-15 months, so if Dòbhran wasn't found he wouldn't have survived, Grace Yoxon said.

After arriving at the sanctuary, the otter was quickly named Dòbhran after the Gaelic word for otter.

Dòbhran in his open enclosure at the IOSF

The IOSF said during its time with Dòbhran, he was kept in a spacious enclosure away from people as it allows rescued otters to keep their "wild side".

Dòbhran quickly became a "strong and healthy young otter, full of character too as he patrolled his pen".

"He'd sometimes hide beneath his pond and other times just enjoying the sunshine like he didn't care who or what was about," said Grace Yoxon.

But the "best part of an otter's care and rehabilitation with us is when it is strong and healthy enough to be returned to the wild."

Grace Yoxon told The Oban Times: "We know otters are ready to return to the wild when they start to dig around the enclosure's perimeter, keen to be out."

Dòbhran taking his first steps in the wild

Back home in Mull, a quiet spot was found for Dòbhran to be released in a remote area away from another otter's territory.

The IOSF said Dòbhran was released in September at a time when fish stocks ware high, as it allows him the best possible chance to survive in the wild.

Dòbhran was hesitant to leave at first and returned to his crate, but eventually he "had a wee rub and roll on the seaweed, before continuing on his way," the IOSF said.

The Mull Otter Group said they are still keeping an eye out for Dòbhran.