An animal charity in north Devon has invited households to donate Christmas trees for otter cubs, turning seasonal leftovers into practical enrichment for wildlife rehabilitation.
The UK Wild Otter Trust said real, untreated trees could be reused to create natural play and shelter spaces for young otters in its care. The charity, based in the Molton area, said it was able to collect donated trees locally.
According to the trust, donating Christmas trees for otter cubs supports the animals’ development during rehabilitation. Otters depend heavily on vegetation in the wild, using it for protection and cover. The charity said otters were “famously elusive creatures, and in their natural environment, they rely on vegetation for shelter and safety” and added that “Christmas trees can recreate these conditions perfectly”.
The trees are used within the trust’s specialist rehabilitation centre in North Devon. The site includes 19 outdoor enclosures, five indoor cub rooms, a cub hospital and two isolation units. At full capacity, the centre can care for up to 44 animals at one time.
Otter cubs typically remain at the centre for around a year. This reflects the time they would usually spend with their mothers in the wild. The trust takes in about 20 otters each year, with the aim of returning them to their natural habitat once they are ready.
Donating Christmas trees for otter cubs contributes to a wider rehabilitation process that is both lengthy and costly. Each cub requires more than £3,500 of care over the course of its stay. The trust uses established release methods, including familiar holts, support feeding at release sites and post release monitoring. Otters are allowed to determine when they are ready to explore their new environment, and the charity reports a 100 percent success rate using this approach.
Dave Webb, founder and CEO of the trust, highlighted the importance of small contributions. He said: “These trees might seem like a small thing, but to our otters they’re a huge source of joy and learning.
“They provide comfort, stimulation, and a safe place to hide and play – everything a growing otter needs.”
Research also forms a central part of the trust’s conservation work. One of its stated aims is to “Work with other otter groups and angling bodies to research and improve our understanding of otter biology and ecology”. Students regularly undertake placements at the centre, often completing research projects focused on enrichment and readiness behaviours.
The trust also supports wider research by sharing data and providing otter faeces. All projects are non invasive and monitored to ensure there is no impact on rehabilitation. Within this framework, donating Christmas trees for otter cubs remains a simple way for the public to support conservation work grounded in established practice.
