Otters are charismatic indicators of river health. Their conservation directly benefits the broader ecosystem of species that depend on clean, productive waterways.
Otter welfare is a direct indicator of river health -- populations recover as water quality improves and decline as pollution increases. Road mortality is a significant concern where otters cross roads while traveling between water bodies. Dog attack on otters is also a welfare issue near popular riverbanks. Giant river otters face habitat loss through gold mining that causes mercury pollution and habitat destruction. Sea otters require abundant shellfish prey that is threatened by ocean acidification. Conservation approaches that address water quality, road mortality, and habitat protection simultaneously benefit otters and the entire river ecosystem they inhabit.