An otter escaped unharmed after getting trapped under the bonnet of a Tesco delivery van. The female pup got lost from her den and found herself in the car park at Tesco Extra in Copdock, Suffolk.
But after being attacked by a flock of birds, it clambered under the hood of the Mercedes Benz van to escape. The delivery driver is understood to have found the otter after hearing the animal yelping for help.
RSPCA Inspector Caroline Richardson said: “When I got the call I must admit I expected to find a ferret or a rat stuck in the engine - but when I reached in to get a better look there was the cutest little face staring back at me.
“The otter was not coming out on her own accord and the staff had been trying to lure her out with some food on a stick. As this seemed to work I carried on with the approach and then, when the moment was right, I was able to use my rescue equipment to grab her and pull her out.
“Despite her ordeal she was not injured and she was quite curious. It soon became apparent she was just a baby.”
The otter has been reunited with her brother, who had been found wandering into a tool and plant hire shop the previous day. Both pups are around four months old.
Ms Richardson added: "This pair are too young to be out of their den - we think unfortunately something must have happened to mum or the den was disturbed. I took my pup to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital where her sibling was already being cared for and I'm delighted to say the pair have now been reunited.
“In my 12 years with the RSPCA this is my first otter rescue - and it was such a rewarding experience to be able to help this little girl. She was also the cutest little thing I have ever seen."
The male otter pup was found the day before around half a mile away inside Sunbelt Rentals. Staff managed to confine him in a box before the RSPCA collected him.
Animal rescue officer Jen Richardson said: “Although it’s very sad to think these pups lost their mum it is heart-warming to know they have been reunited. We again just want to thank everyone who has helped in the rescue of the otters.
“Now they are in the care of a wildlife hospital they stand the best chance of being rehabilitated and then returned back to the wild where they belong.”
A Tesco spokesperson said: “We’d like to thank the RSPCA for taking care of the otter pup and we’re really happy she’s been reunited with her sibling. We wish them both a speedy recovery.”
