AN orphaned otter from the Borders has found it 'snow' bother to fend for herself after arriving at a rescue centre.

Wriggle was found wandering beside a rural road near Kelso.

Calls for her mother went ignored for some time - and it was eventually established she'd either been orphaned or abandoned.

Animal welfare charity the Scottish SPCA collected the pup and she was transferred to a rescue centre in Clackmannanshire.

Over the festive period Wriggle has adapted well to life at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross.

And she took to the recent snows like an, eh, otter to water.

Centre manager Colin Seddon told the Border Telegraph: “We were alerted to Wriggle after she was found by a vigilant member of public calling for her mother at the side of a road.

“We do whatever we can to engage our otters with different items, especially when they have not yet been introduced to other otters, as they’re very inquisitive and playful creatures.”

European Otter populations in the Scottish Borders have increased significantly over the past two decades.

And they can regularly be seen on the Tweed and its tributaries.

But experts are warning for wildlife watchers to keep their distance - even when a pup appears to be in trouble.

Mr Seddon added: "Anyone who finds an otter cub that is calling for its mother should at first observe from a distance providing the cub is in a safe position.

"If the mother does not return before dark then the cub will need to be brought into our care.

"If the cub appears in anyway injured or ill please call our animal helpline immediately and contain the otter if possible.”

If you discover an injured or distressed wild animal call the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.