WATCH: Charity returns young otter to Assynt 11 months after he was found abandoned in the area in stormy weather
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An otter has been released back into the wild in Assynt nearly a year after he was found abandoned in the area as a pup and taken into the care of a charity.
Balchladich resident Angi Kneebone discovered the male otter pup in October 2021 during a period of heavy rain.
She heard a light "squeaking" coming from the stream that flows past her house and two days later found the otter sheltering in the tall grasses at the edge of the stream.
Angi and her partner Mark managed to get the otter, which was aptly named Storm, into an animal cage and he was taken into the care of the Skye based International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF).
It was thought that the heavy rainfall and swollen bodies of water had caused the young otter to be separated from its family group.
Paul and Grace Yoxon of the IOSF, who have been looking after Storm, decided he was ready to be released after noting he had been digging in his enclosure for several weeks
After discussions with High Life Highland senior countryside ranger Andy Summers, a remote and quiet location in Assynt, not far from where he was found, was selected.
Storm was released on September 22, but had to be "coaxed" from his crate.
A blog about the release written by Assynt Field Club member David Haines states: "The door of his crate was opened and everyone stood excitedly waiting for the moment Storm took to the water. We were still waiting 10 minutes later!
"In the end Paul had to slightly lift the crate to coax Storm out. Then in an instant he was out of the crate and in the water. Suddenly he was freely swimming and foraging for food in the seaweed.
"He surfaced a few times to check out his new surroundings.
"So, Storm returns to Assynt and there is now no more that can be done for him. But, thanks to Angie and the IOSF, he has at least been given a second chance."
