Ot ters are one of the species at Stapeley where orphans require a long per iod in rehab (up to 12 months) before they can be returned to the wild. Unlike foxes and badgers there are no real opt ions of returning them to their parent s when they are admit ted so we have to take them in.


Since 2005 the number of


otters admitted has steadily increased. The majority of those admitted are cubs or juveniles that have been separated from their parents, usually because of heavy rain and flash floods. At one point last year we had eight otter cubs in our care which was not only a strain on our team but


12


OTTERLY BRILLIANT


also our budget. We now only have four in care, thanks to the New Forest Owl and Otter Sanctuary (in Hampshire) who regularly foster some of our otters before they are returned to us for release.


The four we currently have in


our care are eating a lot of fish and trout doesn?t come cheap. It costs us around £3,000 a year to feed two otter cubs. If all goes to plan we shall be saying goodbye to our four otter cubs before the end of the year.


Orphaned otters, foxes and


badgers require a soft release enclosure in the field which allows them to acclimatise before they are finally returned to the wild. Setting


up a pen for otters is not easy considering they are largely aquatic and can take a full day for up to five people. In the past we have used large water tanks which has been a strain on the team to organise but thanks to Water Gardening Direct, we now have two very thick liners that has meant transporting and setting up their pond in the release pens is far easier.


Rob Scrivens (Supervisor)


recently established a release pen for a pair of otters that were brought in last year and which have now been released.


Catherine Smith (Wildlife


Assistant) accompanied Rob and reported back saying:


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