Eurasian otters are recovering in urban waterways across Britain and Europe. Understanding their needs enables coexistence and supports continued population recovery.
The recovery of urban otter populations represents a genuine conservation success, but individual welfare concerns accompany urban living. Vehicle collisions at road crossings are a major mortality cause, particularly for young dispersing males. Dog attacks, though uncommon, can injure or kill otters. Pollution events in urban waterways expose otters to contaminants that bioaccumulate through fish prey. Disturbance of holt sites during critical periods — particularly when cubs are young — can cause abandonment. Supporting otter recovery means managing these specific threats while ensuring habitat quality is maintained through water quality and fish population management.