Eurasian otters have recovered significantly in many European countries following pollution control and legal protection, but road casualties and habitat loss remain significant welfare concerns.
Otter road casualties are often traumatic deaths — collision with vehicles while crossing roads at culvert sites causes serious injury and may not be immediately fatal. Injured otters may survive for hours in significant distress before dying or being found. Infrastructure improvements including otter ledges in culverts and wildlife crossing structures significantly reduce road casualties at high-risk sites. The investment in these structures represents a direct welfare intervention as well as a conservation measure.