Centre devastated by death of 'the best of otters'

Staff at a wildlife centre have said they are beyond devastated by the death of "truly the best of otters".

Musa, who lived at WWT Washington Wetland Centre, near Sunderland, died on Friday following a short illness days after he celebrated his 17th birthday.

The Asian short-clawed otter, who had fathered nine cubs, was the oldest of his species across the whole of the WWT, the charity said.

He had shared a "very close-knit bond" with his partner Mimi, who died last year, the WWT said.

A spokesperson said Musa was "truly the best of otters", adding: "Devastated doesn't come close to how we are all feeling right now."

Musa and his son Buster had been treated with mince cakes and playtime on 9 October to mark the patriarch's 17th birthday.

Musa and Mimi had been inseparable since being introduced in 2012 and had cubs Ruby, Ash, Tod, Pip, Sam, Buster, Rita, Irene and Shirley together.

The WWT said Musa had been a "doting dad" and lived alongside Buster "till the very end".

The team had been "preparing for this loss for a little while" and would need to take time to "process things", the charity said.

Buster would be introduced to a new companion "only when he is absolutely ready", they added.

The trust said "darling Musa" would be forever loved and missed, adding: "Wherever you are, may the pebbles be plentiful and the minced beef delicious."

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