River otters are increasingly killed on roads as their populations expand, with targeted infrastructure improvements significantly reducing casualties at known hotspots.
Otters killed by vehicles experience acute traumatic death with no warning. Injured otters that survive the initial impact may drag themselves to roadside where they face prolonged suffering before discovery. Preventive infrastructure - otter ledges within culverts, fencing that directs otters to safe crossing points - eliminates this welfare harm at identified hotspots at relatively low cost compared to the ongoing toll of casualties.