“Hey mum? I’m ‘otterly’ cute, aren’t I?”
Staff at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre in Lancashire are celebrating after three ‘otterly’ cute otter cubs were born this summer. The three adorable cubs, all girls, are now 6 weeks old and doing really well. The trio will soon be starting to venture out of the nest to explore their new home.
Mum and dad, Thai and Ned, came to Martin Mere in 2009, and this is the second time that they have produced young. The cubs have on average put on approximately 10g a day since birth and are now a healthy weight and will soon become curious about their surroundings. Due to the otters being so small, staff have had to be creative to weigh them and found that using postage scales is the most accurate method.
Centre Manager, Andy Wooldridge, said: “I am delighted that the otters have produced young. Parents and cubs are all very healthy and it will be a delight to watch them spend their time together as a family. I have no doubt that the young otters will prove to be a huge attraction over the coming months.”
The otters are fed twice a day at 11.30am and 2.30pm to allow visitors the opportunity to watch the otters play. They have a diet of soft meat and fish.
WWT Martin Mere is open every day from 9.30am to 5.30pm and parking is free of charge. Situated off the A59, it is signposted from the M61, M58 and M6. The Centre is also accessible via the Southport to Manchesterand the Liverpool to Prestonline by train from Burscough Rail Stations. Visit the web site www.wwt.org.uk/martinmere to find out what’s on all year round at Martin Mere and the other eight centres.