Eurasian otters have recovered remarkably from near-extinction in many UK river systems. Sustaining this recovery requires continued attention to water quality, habitat management, and road mortality reduction.
The recovery of UK otters from near-extinction is one of the most remarkable wildlife success stories of the 20th century, but individual otters continue to face significant welfare threats. Road mortality at river crossing points subjects otters to acute trauma and death; degraded habitats with insufficient prey cause nutritional stress; chemical pollution from agricultural runoff and sewage discharge can cause chronic illness. Each of these threats is addressable through existing knowledge and technology. Sustaining the welfare gains of the otter recovery requires continued investment in pollution control, infrastructure improvements, and habitat management - recognizing that population-level success can coexist with individual-level welfare failures.