The otter who's afraid of the water

Torrent the otter is rather different from most of his species – he is terrified of water and cannot swim.

The cub orphaned during July's storms and named after the ensuing deluge, was found starving near Watchet in north Devon.



Staff at Secret World Wildlife Centre in Highbridge, Somerset, soon realised he had a water phobia.

Centre manager Pauline Kidner thinks the problem lies with a defect in his fur.

She said: 'When you wet his fur, you can see little air bubbles forming when it should be totally slick like a seal. I don't think he likes how that makes him feel.'