A tiny otter cub has been rescued after being found abandoned in Shetland.
A concerned local called Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary after finding the cub alone in his garden in South Whiteness.
After waiting overnight for the mum to return, the homeowner noticed that the cub had made its way into an outhouse building, where she had curled up on a pile of hay.
The wildlife charity said the cub, believed to be around three weeks old, was squeaking and showing signs of missing its mum.
Hillswick Wildlife SanctuaryNow affectionately named Hope, the otter has been taken into the care of the sanctuary, where she will be closely monitored.
The team posted on social media, “Keeping an otter this age alive after she’s been abandoned by mum is a real challenge and demands round-the-clock attention. So far, so good.
Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary“She has managed to suck from the bottle and seems to be settled, but it will be a few days (and nights) before we can be confident that she will make it through the trauma she has just been through.”
Otter cubs usually start emerging from the den at about three months old, but they still rely on their mother for food and will stay with her until they are a year old.
The cubs need specialist care to survive. Rehabilitation at a wildlife centre usually takes up to a year before they are ready to be released back into the wild.
Hillswick Wildlife SanctuaryThe charity has appealed for donations to help it continue to help rescue animals like Hope.
Donations can be made online.
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