New ‘Tarka’ home for otters

‘Twilight over meadow and water, the eve-star shining above the hill, and Old Nog the heron crying kra-a-ark! as his slow dark wings carried him down to the estuary’ - so reads the atmospheric opening line of the much-loved classic Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson.

Now, 95 years after the novel’s publication, the North Devon based UK Wild Otter Trust has relocated its rehabilitation centre to a site that was used in the film dramatisation of the book. The land is owned by the Earl of Lichfield, Thomas Anson, who is also president of the charity.

“As early as my memory goes back, I have always had ‘Wyndham’ my otter puppet. I have Tarka the Otter and Ring of Bright Water cemented into my mind, and bizarrely ended up owning parts of the River Mole and Taw, and the old mill building and waterwheel used in the Tarka filming!” the Earl told Molton Monthly. “All wildlife needs our help, and I feel very honoured to be a part of this organisation. Their ongoing conservation work is paramount to the continued success for this iconic species.”

Volunteers have worked tirelessly to get the new centre up and running, and they saw a record 35 orphaned otter come through their doors in 2021, most have been released but 11 are still being cared for. The UK Wild Otter Trust has now launched an urgent fundraising appeal to help finish the new centre, if you can help please go to: ukwildottertrust.org

The new rehab centre taking shape and inset, one of the residents being cared for Photos by Nigel Childs