A retired logger and fisherman and a local woman have been hailed for helping save the life of a baby otter after it became trapped in a fishing net in Alert Bay, British Columbia.
Gordon Mellish was alerted by a neighbour at the marina that three baby otters had become tangled in a fishing net. He rushed to help, with a small crowd gathering as he carefully freed the animals.
Two of the otters appeared to be unharmed, but the third was unresponsive.
Mellish, who has performed mouth-to-mouth CPR on 10 people during his years working on the water, sprang into action despite never having attempted to resuscitate an otter.
“I gave the heart a little pump and nothing was going on, so I grabbed it and picked it up. I wrapped my mouth around its mouth and nose and gave it a breath of life,” he said.
The otter eventually began showing signs of life.
Local resident Robin Quirk then stepped in to care for the fragile animal while arrangements were made to get it to a wildlife rescue centre.
Quirk created a temporary shelter to protect the otter from the sun and birds of prey and provided it with a comfortable place to rest while she sought advice from wildlife experts.
The nearest rescue facility was several hours away, requiring a long drive followed by a ferry trip. Quirk therefore kept the otter safe in her car overnight before making the journey the following day.
She said the animal slept throughout most of the trip.
“You know how if you can’t get your baby to sleep, you take it for a drive? Well, the otter slept the whole way,” Quirk said.
The baby otter spent a week at the wildlife rescue centre undergoing rehabilitation before being returned to Alert Bay.
Mellish and Quirk were invited to witness the emotional moment when the animal was released back into the water.
Mellish said he was touched when the otter appeared to look back at him after jumping into the water. He waved and the animal seemed to respond by nodding before swimming away.
Further sightings have since confirmed that the otter has reunited with its mother and siblings.
The animal also appears to recognise Quirk, particularly when she whistles the lullaby she created for it during their journey to the rescue centre.
Reflecting on the rescue, Mellish said the experience was a reminder of the value of every life.
“A life’s a life no matter what it is. Try to do your best to save it,” he said.