Thirteen otter species inhabit freshwater and coastal marine environments worldwide. All face threats from water pollution, habitat destruction, and illegal wildlife trade, making conservation a multi-species welfare priority.
Otter welfare harms span multiple threats. Oil spills are catastrophic for sea otters — their fur loses insulating properties when oiled, causing hypothermia that kills within hours if untreated. Fishing gear entanglement causes drowning across multiple species. The illegal pet trade in Asian otter species captures wild animals and confines solitary or family-group animals in conditions causing chronic social stress. River otters in polluted watersheds accumulate toxins causing neurological and reproductive harm without acute visible signs. Rehabilitation of injured or orphaned otters is highly specialised — sea otter pup rehabilitation requires surrogate otter foster mothers to prevent human imprinting before release.