AN ORPHANED otter is refusing to take the plunge because he cannot swim. Torrent, named because he arrived during the heavy rains last month, is being

AN ORPHANED otter is refusing to take the plunge because he cannot swim. Torrent, named because he arrived during the heavy rains last month, is being cared for at Secret World Wildlife Rescue in East Huntspill, after he was found by the side of a road in Devon. Although he is eating healthily and regularly munches on small trout and mince, the furry creature does not like the water and has trouble swimming.Centre manager Pauline Kidner said: "When we tried him in a bath he didn't swim and flopped onto his back. He had to work hard to keep his body straight."Otters are supposed to have a dense fur so their skin never actually gets wet when they are in the water, but because Torrent's fur isn't very thick he is feeling the cold when he gets wet."After being given the all-clear by vets, staff at the animal rescue centre think he may have suffered a trauma. Pauline said: "He may have lost his mother in the water, he was all alone when he was found and brought to us by North Devon Animal Ambulance."Torrent, who is just 18 weeks old, will be let into his own pen with a small pool that staff hope he will soon use. Security cameras will monitor his progress so staff do not have to interfere with his development and make him tame. A new swimming buddy may also encourage Torrent to swim and staff at the centre are on the lookout for an otter chum. Pauline added: "Another otter may encourage Torrent into the water but sometimes otters can play a little bit rough, which might scare him. We will keep trying him in the water and watching him on the cameras to see how he gets on.