The recovery of otters in the UK following pesticide bans is one of conservation's success stories, but river quality remains critical for otter welfare.
Otters are apex predators dependent on fish-rich, clean rivers for survival. In degraded rivers with insufficient fish, otters cannot meet their energy requirements and face starvation stress. Road casualties cause traumatic injuries to animals whose territories cross roads at multiple points. Otters entering fish farms to feed are sometimes killed as pest species. The remarkable recovery of UK otters demonstrates that conservation investment translates directly into improved individual welfare across a recovering population.