Otters face threats from habitat loss and illegal trade as cafe pets; their welfare in captivity is often severely compromised.
Otters in cafe settings experience profound welfare problems from small spaces, constant human handling, inappropriate diet, and social disruption. The trade for otter pets drives illegal capture of wild animals. Even well-resourced zoo otters need complex aquatic environments, fish-based diets, and social groups. Wild otter recovery demonstrates the value of habitat protection.