TWO otter cubs are being cared for in Clacks after being found roaming the streets of Inverkeithing.

Members of the public alerted the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) after spotting the young otters wandering the streets.

It is believed they are orphans and were searching for their mother.

The two cubs, a male and a female, have been named Forth and Inver, and were found last Saturday, February 6.

They were taken to the National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross.

Steven Gray, the centre's manager, said: "The cubs are around three to four months old.

"Otters will stay with their mothers in the wild until they are over a year old.

"We suspect their mum was involved in a road traffic accident or some form of disturbance and didn't return to her cubs so they have gone looking for her.

"They were seen wandering down the road in Inverkeithing on Saturday night.

"The female cub was spotted by someone taking their bins out.

"She was making very loud peeping noises which was probably her trying to call for her mum.

"The members of the public followed at a safe distance to a nearby field where they were able to monitor her until we arrived.

"The pair wouldn't have survived on their own as they rely on mum so we are thankful the members of the public contacted us.

Forth and Inver will stay at the centre in Fishcross for around 10 months until they are ready to be released into the wild.

Steven continued: "They will stay with us until they are around 12 to 14-months-old, just like with mum in the wild.

"We will teach them how to feed and take care of themselves and will release them when they are ready.

"Otters are very agile and can have a nasty bite so we would ask members of the public not to approach them as they can react negatively out of fear.

"They can see humans as a threat, especially when they are feeling vulnerable, so we would advise monitoring the animal and contacting us.

"We have the necessary safety equipment to carefully contain otters and we are experienced in doing so.

"We wouldn't want anyone getting hurt or an animal to be caused undue stress.

"If anyone spots a wild animal in need of our help, please call our animal helpline on 03000 999 999."

Visit scottishspca.org for more information.