Crying eight-week-old otter found near river

Scratch was found distressed, crying and alone, without a sign of his mother.

A crying eight-week-old baby otter abandoned by a river was "growing stronger every day" following his rescue, a charity said.

UK Wild Otter Trust said a passerby found Scratch crying by the River Fynn near Ipswich, weighing 0.5kg (1.1lb) on 26 May.

When one of the rescuers scooped up the cub for a cuddle, he was accidentally scratched in the process, which gave the inspiration for the otter's name.

Dave Webb, the charity's founder, said: "Scratch was cold, hungry, and confused, but he was also a fighter!"

Otter Claws: He was given the name Scratch as he took a swipe at his rescuer upon being scooped up.

The cub was spotted by walkers when he was heard crying from afar and was in a distressed state.

Originally, the members of the public left him there in case his mother came back, but later they returned to rescue him.

He was then passed over to the UK Wild Otter Trust.

Scratch is well on the way to recovery. He now weighs 1.5kg, triple the 0.5kg he weighed when rescued.

Mr Webb said: "With warmth, food, and round-the-clock care, he's already growing stronger every day."

The charity said Scratch has now tripled in weight with a tailored rehabilitation plan, and it was hoped he would be returned to the wild.

Scratch was the eighth otter rescue the charity had made this year.

Otters are protected by law, and it is illegal to hunt, trap or disturb them, according to the UK Wild Otter Trust.

In recent years, new threats have emerged affecting otters, including road traffic accidents, habitat destruction, being captured in fishing nets and increased use of pesticides in farming.