Three orphaned otter cubs found on a roadside and at a flooded river bank are being cared for by animal welfare officers.
Two of the cubs are female, aged around 10 weeks, and were rescued from the banks of a river in Earlston in the Borders last Thursday.
The other otter was discovered in poor condition at the side of a road in Brechin, Angus, on November 17.
They are now being looked after at the Scottish SPCA's National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross, Clackmannanshire.
The charity said it has been the busiest year for otter cubs, with 14 currently at the centre.
Manager Colin Seddon said: "The cubs found on the river bank in Earlston had a very lucky escape as it was a difficult rescue for our officer in the dark.
"Despite their ordeal, the cubs are doing well. They are sisters who are around 10 weeks old and are self-feeding. They don't need much attention from our staff as they have each other.
"The male otter found in Brechin is around 12 weeks old and he was very weak when he first came into our care. His body weight is only 50% of what it should be but he is feeding himself and we are hopeful he will make a full recovery.
"He will soon be put in with the girls to make a group of three."
Mr Seddon said the cubs will remain there for around a year before hopefully being returned to their natural habitat - similar to the length of time they would stay with their mother in the wild.
ends
The male cub has been named Ebb and the females have been called Wave and Tide.
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