Wolfie
has now left the sanctuary and is back in the wild where he belongs! To
view large pictures of Wolfie click on a thumbnail below.
Wolfie was a nine week
old male otter cub who arrived at the sanctuary on 5 January 2008 after he was
washed out of his holt during a bad storm. SSPCA officer Ron Patterson went to
collect him, asking the crofter who found him if he had a box to put him in.
“He’s already in a box,” the man said, but when Ron arrived he found he was in a
horse box!
It was a good start for this larger than life character. Ron found his own box
and brought him north to Hillswick, and straight away it was clear that Wolfie
was a survivor. He was big, strong and well fed for a young cub and he just kept
on growing. He thrived from the word go as he went from being bottle fed to
eating liquidised fish to devouring whole fish on his own in his outdoor pen.
One of the most playful otters we have ever had, it was difficult to have as
little as possible to do with him when he had to go outside to live in the
pen…but we knew this was essential if he was to survive in the wild. He wouldn’t
stand a chance if he had imprinted too much on us.
He grew and grew, turning into the largest otter we have looked after and by
August he let us know it was time to leave, attacking Pete every time he brought
out his daily supply of white fish.
We had set up a release programme with the help of Ron and a very kind couple
who allowed us to leave the box he had been living in inside his pen, on a beach
on their croft, where they could eye his movements. Ron set up a feeding
programme, slowly reducing the amount of fish he brought to his new home in the
wild, giving him time to learn to hunt for his own food.
Wolfie was last seen just before Christmas chomping on a fish on a tiny island
in the middle of a narrow Shetland voe. We can only hope that he continues to
survive and thrive in his new home. We have done all we can to help him on his
way.
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Bottle feeding to begin with
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Liquidised fish was the next stage
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First steps out!
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We have found that to keep baby otters alive initially we have to allow them to bond
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Social contact is very important
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They love nothing better than to play fight.
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His favourite spot
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We spent many hours playing hide and seek!
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Come and get me!
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What is this white stuff?
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I think I'll investigate
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Wolfie was very cautious in the snow until he got used to it.
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Once he was used to it he didn't want to come back in!
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Finally got hold of Wolfie but Jan needed her gloves as otters always bite.
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Wolfie looking out of his home at the sanctuary
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Wolfie looking at the sea after living at the sanctuary since a baby
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Wolfie finding his way and swimming into the wild
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