Otter populations have recovered significantly in Britain following water quality improvements and legal protection, though individual welfare threats persist.
Despite population recovery, individual otters face significant welfare threats from road mortality, disease and habitat disturbance. Roads crossing rivers without appropriate otter passes force otters onto road surfaces during territory movements. Eel herpesvirus has caused mortality events with unknown welfare impacts during infection. Bankside disturbance during breeding disrupts holt use and can cause abandonment of dependent cubs. Maintaining undisturbed bankside habitat and installing otter passes under road bridges near rivers are the most effective welfare interventions.