Otter populations have recovered significantly since their 1970s low; maintaining river habitat quality, reducing road mortality, and monitoring population health supports both otter conservation and individual welfare.
Otter welfare is largely determined by river ecosystem health — clean water, abundant prey, and undisturbed bankside habitat enable otters to meet their needs naturally. The primary welfare challenge beyond habitat quality is road mortality, which kills individual otters and disrupts family groups. Otter passes under roads at sites known for regular crossing significantly reduce mortality. Monitoring otter populations through spraint surveys provides early warning of habitat quality decline before population impacts become severe.