The second rescue cub has settled in extremely well to its temporary home at the International Otter Survival Fund’s Rescue Centre on the Isle of Skye.
This feisty male, believed to be around four months of age, has been given the name ‘Mangal’ by Heleen van Haaren from Lochdon, who found the cub and alerted Mull Otter Group to its distress. Mangal is the name of Heleen’s young nephew (who lives in Holland) and is a name that is associated with resistance fighters throughout Asia.
Heleen takes up the story:
“Having spent part of last Summer holidaying on the Isle of Mull, Mangal had hoped to see an otter. Unfortunately, he failed to see one, but he absolutely loves the fact that there is an otter named after him now.”
It appears that both Mangal and his otter namesake share several similarities, most notably their love of fishing.
Heleen added:
“Mangal thinks otters are terrific animals and that they are masters of fishing and swimming.”
‘Mangal’, the otter cub, continues to build up its strength at the IOSF Rescue Centre on the Isle of Skye, where he is now consuming two whole fish a day. He is still a fiery, little character, but he now has the company of another young cub to help keep him in check.
Mull Otter Group would like to acknowledge a ‘Year of Natural Scotland’ grant of £250 from Holiday Mull and Iona, which has allowed the purchase of an Otter Rescue Resource package, to be used when handling sick, injured or distressed otters.
If you find an otter that is showing signs of distress, an abandoned cub or a dead otter on the Isle of Mull, please contact:-
Jane Stevens (North Mull): Tel. 07710 408814
Nigel Burch (South Mull): Tel. 07900 918857