Otters paired up at RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre

The charity’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire recently took in Eve and Juniper after they were found as orphans and would have been unable to survive in the wild alone at such a young age.

Now the loving pair are thriving in each other's company and Valentine’s Day will involve a tasty meal of fish treats before cuddling up together on their blanket. 

Eve, named as she was discovered on Christmas Eve, had been found in a bin in Durham.

It is believed someone had spotted her and thought she was dead so placed her body in the bin.

Inspector Steph Baines took the otter cub to be treated at a wildlife establishment in North Yorkshire and after a few days she was strong enough to be transferred to Stapeley Grange.

Juniper was found alone with no sign of his mum a few days later in North Yorkshire, before being transferred to Cheshire.

Lee Stewart, manager at Stapeley Grange, said: “To help the otters' social well-being we recently paired up Eve and Juniper and they are loving spending time together.

“Enrichment is important for the mental wellbeing of our patients and the otters enjoy playing in a paddock with straw and chasing each other around.

“They are also very fond of the fish dishes we provide and like snuggling up after a long day of scampering around.

“Whilst most of our adult wildlife admissions are returned to the wild within a matter of weeks many of our orphan animals remain in care for many months.  

“Our otter cubs can stay with us for up to 12 months so their care is not only time consuming but expensive.

“They are released at an age and size when they would naturally move off to find their own territory and way in life.”

Eve and Juniper will be released together at a suitable location later in the year.

If you see a wild animal in need of help, call the RSPCA’s emergency line on 0300 1234 999.

To support Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre visit justgiving.com/campaign/RSPCAStapeleyGrangeWildlife