A cute baby otter is on the road to recovery thanks to a kind passerby and its taste for trout.
The Scottish SPCA is caring for the eight-week-old female cub after it was found in a bad way wandering on a Caithness road by a concerned member of the public.
The good Samaritan contacted Scotland’s animal welfare charity when it was spotted at Shilvrag Top, Occumster, Lybster, on October 3 and it was checked out by Thurso Vets and then cared for overnight by SSPCA Senior Inspector Audrey Gunn.
The following day the little otter was transported to the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross, Clackmannanshire, where it was named Murkle after the area of Caithness where Audrey grew up.
Audrey said: “Murkle was very sick, weak and lethargic when she was found. Sadly, it’s possible her mother had been killed or frightened off. She wouldn’t have been able to survive on her own as otters usually remain with their parents until they’re around a year old.
“After some time in a heated room at the vets Murkle became a lot brighter.
“I was advised to feed her trout and I gave the fishmonger a bit of a laugh when I told him who I was shopping for.
“He joked that Murkle was better fed than he was.
“Murkle happily munched her way through the trout and keenly searched for more, which was a really positive sign.
“She has settled in well at our National Wildlife Rescue Centre with the staff member who is fostering her, but soon they’ll adopt a hands off approach to allow her to develop a healthy and natural fear of humans.
“This is vital if she’s to survive in the wild.
“We’re very hopeful that in around 12 months we will be able to release Murkle back into her natural habitat, fit and healthy and able to fend for herself.”
Anyone who discovers an injured or distressed animal should call the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.