A few weeks ago while helping out Freddie Montague-Dennis, a student studying otters on Mull from Falmouth University, we heard a cub squeaking along the shore of a local sea loch.
Freddie spotted a tiny cub right beside the road and I pulled over a little further along to watch it. It seemed to be alone, squeaking its head off until it appeared to go under the road into a culvert and fall silent. Guessing that mum was probably in there and possibly other cubs, we left them in peace to come out again.
Later that day, I was passing the same spot alone, and I heard the familiar whistle of an otter cub again. I went over to see mum and tiny little cub walk down from the road onto the shore. The cub was squeaking nervously the whole time and mum was also showing signs of being very wary, I am guessing it was the first time it had tasted salt water. It followed mum into the water without too much encouragement but then started freaking out, splashing for the shore and coughing and spluttering at the taste of the salty water. Mum dragged the little ball of fluff along by the scruff of its neck and the cub also tried hitching a ride on mum’s back as she swam along in the shallows.
I had panto practice, so I had to leave them. I was excited though to have found such a young new family, although slightly disappointed that there was only one cub – when there are more cubs, they are so much fun to watch and photograph.
A few days later, I was driving past the same area listening out this time for the whistle of the cubs, as I had heard from a friend, that there were indeed two cubs.
I heard the loud squeaking yet again and pulled over. There was one of the tiny cubs running around on the beach. Going in the shallows and then out again, running up and down the shore frantically whistling for its mum. It came up off the shore and into the woods on the other side of the road calling for its mum the whole time. It then saw me standing beside my car and ran over to me and sniffed at my feet, looking up at me and ‘snuffed’ as if to say, “You are NOT my mum!” and then ran off again into the woods to eventually settle down in among some boulders – possibly where its sibling was curled up being a little more obedient and patiently waiting for their mum to return from her fishing trip.
Otter mothers often leave cubs alone for many hours at a time, so it is very important that if you find an otter cub or cubs that appear in distress like this, please do not attempt to touch them. They are likely to take a finger off if you do, and they are more than likely NOT abandoned or orphaned and their mother will return for them.
I think that cubs need to be observed for a minimum of 24 hours before “rescuing” them. Call a local animal rescue group or centre if you are overly concerned.
The mother of these cubs is proving to be a bit reckless with her cubs. She is feeding them very well, often finishing off what they cannot eat, and I have had the privilege of seeing them suckling on the shore too. But, I have seen her leave one cub behind a few times while swimming off along the coast with the other, leaving it to squeak in panic for a long period of time before getting reunited.
Please take care to not disturb otters, especially when they have such little cubs. Always try and remain downwind as they will catch your scent very easily. Do not create a new skyline, they know their home and the outlines very well. Watch from a distance and if photographing, please respect the animals and take as much care leaving them as you do creeping up on them. Have a lovely nature filled Christmas and New Year.