On Friday 12th May, Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon, presented Dave Webb with his Points of Light Award, awarded by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Dave Webb founded the ‘UK Wild Otter Trust’ in 2016, which has quickly become one of the most respected conservation groups in Britain. As well as rescuing and rehabilitating the animals ready to be released back into the wild, through the charity Dave also works to raise awareness of otter habitats and help prevent harm to wildlife, particularly among the angling community and fishing industry.
He has successfully secured the UK’s first humane trapping licence for otters, regarded by wildlife experts as a ground breaking step in conservation and which are vital in helping to move otters from areas of harm.
To present Dave with the award Selaine visited the Otter Trust’s site in Umberleigh. Whilst there she saw some of his residents such as Tolga the otter.
Selaine Saxby says:
“This award is a well deserved recognition of Dave’s four decades of exceptional work. It was great to be able to present it to him and meet some of his residents, who are normally such shy creatures.
Tolga the otter was great fun, despite having been badly injured he was full of life and loved to play. During his treatment he was handled more than normal so is now a permanent resident.
Dave is the 2007th person to receive the Points of Light award, which was first launched in April 2014 to recognise outstanding individuals making a positive change within their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected by the Prime Minister to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.
