Scottish SPCA caring for ‘unusual’ number of abandoned otters

The Scottish SPCA said it is currently caring for an “unusual’ number of otters.

The National Wildlife Rescue Centre, based in Fishcross, Alloa, has 12 otters undergoing rehabilitation after arriving from across the country, from Perthshire to Dumfries and Galloway.

Many of the animals are young, abandoned or displaced cubs requiring round-the-clock care and enrichment.

Among them are Kelly and Noddy, two cubs rescued on February 14 after being discovered huddled together for warmth inside a car engine in Skelmorlie, North Ayrshire.

Kelly and Noddy were rescued on February 14. Scottish SPCA via Scottish SPCA

The pair were initially taken in overnight by a local woman, who kept them safe in a cardboard box placed in her bath, before being collected by Scottish SPCA officers the following morning.

Both cubs are said to be healthy and responding well to care, with staff focused on building up their weight.

Another young otter, Yuri, was rescued from the Isle of Arran at the start of February after being found weak on a driveway.

The Scottish SPCA said it is currently caring for an "unusual' number of otters. — The Scottish SPCA said it is currently caring for an “unusual’ number of otters. Scottish SPCA

Weighing just 1kg, he was treated by a local vet with oral rehydration fluids and warmth before being transferred by ferry to Troon and then on to the wildlife centre for specialist rehabilitation.

Sean Meechan, wildlife operations lead for the charity, said the centre had seen a significantly higher number of otters admitted at the same time over the past three months than in recent years.

“All of them have been young, abandoned or displaced,” he said.

“Currently we have 12 onsite undergoing rehabilitation and being reared by the team, who are carefully integrating some of the young who are of a similar age-class and size.

“This encourages them to socialise, interact and perform the natural behaviours they need to develop in order to be successfully released back into the wild.”

Once some of the otters have grown larger, the charity hopes to transfer them to the International Otter Survival Fund on the Isle of Skye for further specialist care before release.

In addition to otters, the Fishcross centre also rescues and rehabilitates other wildlife, including grey and harbour seals. Staff are currently managing their busiest period for grey seal admissions, with more than 90 pups taken in over the past five months.

Since January 2025, 4,514 animals have arrived at the centre for specialist treatment. Each year, the facility cares for between 5,000 and 6,000 wild animals before releasing them back into their natural habitats.