Baby otter in flamingo habitat finds new home

The pup, named Mingo by his rescuers, was found asleep in a flamingo enclosure at Colchester Zoo

A wild otter pup who turned up in a zoo's flamingo enclosure has been rehomed at a rescue centre.

Just a few months old and weighing just 800g (28oz), the pup - now called Mingo - was spotted by surprised staff at Colchester Zoo in Essex.

"Mingo was found early in the morning, curled up on the bank of the main lake, out in the open, fast asleep and snoring his head off," said tiger section team leader Jody Bedford, who first saw him.

He is now receiving specialist care at a centre run by the charity UK Wild Otter Trust (UKWOT), based at Umberleigh in North Devon.

Colchester Zoo does have a smooth-coated otter habitat just across the path from the Chilean flamingos section, but it said the otter pup was not one of theirs.

UKWOT has confirmed to the BBC that Mingo is a wild Eurasian Otter, which is not one of the breeds officially displayed at the Zoo, but is known to appear around the Nature Area to the south of the attraction.

While recovering at the rescue centre, Mingo has been introduced to Idris

Mr Bedford said: "When he was found, we gave him a few hours to see if mum would reappear.

"Knowing otters, it's odd behaviour to see a pup out in the open like he was.

"He seemed very strong and was very vocal when awake."

'Second chance'

Dave Webb, UKWOT founder, said it was "absolutely clear is that [Mingo] wouldn't have survived much longer on his own" when he was found.

"Otter cubs this young rely entirely on their mothers, and without immediate intervention, Mingo's chances were zero."

He praised the quick response of both zoo staff and the wildlife rescue charity WildLives for giving Mingo a "second chance".

A WildLives volunteer picked up Mingo and took him to a rescue centre in Colchester before the pup was transferred to North Devon.

Mr Webb said the otter would be released back into the wild "when he's strong enough".

Rosie Catford, WildLives founder, said: "Mingo arrived at the centre very dehydrated, weak and frightened.

"He responded quickly to emergency care, but was not the easiest of cubs to bottle-feed.

"Transport was quickly arranged, and Mingo was off to Devon to receive the specialist care he needed."