The Eurasian otter has recovered significantly in UK rivers since the banning of organochlorine pesticides, becoming a flagship indicator of river ecosystem health.
Otters injured in road collisions suffer significant trauma and often require months of rehabilitation before release. Water quality remains a constraint in many catchments, limiting otter food availability and causing accumulation of contaminants in tissue. Protecting river corridors and reducing road kill risk are the key priorities for otter welfare in a recovered population.