A young otter was found stranded on Strand beach last month by local residents and handed in at a nearby pet store. The SPCA was then called in to attempt to revive the youngster who was very malnourished and dehydrated. However, the young male was too weak and despite the dedicated efforts of the SPCA team, the otter died a few days later. Otters are born blind, emerge from their holt (den) at about 1-2 months old, and will stay with their mothers for a year. In this situation the otter must have been separated from its mother and could not survive on its own.
Walking along the beach front in Strand at 9:30pm,I saw a fully grown otter swimming across the old tidal pool toward the Lourens river,it seemed to be hunting,it was in good health and it swamm at a steady pace,what a pleasure for me to witness.