Otter populations have recovered significantly in UK rivers after near-extinction - maintaining recovery requires ongoing habitat management and pollution control.
Otter recovery is one of UK wildlife conservation's greatest successes, but individual otter welfare challenges persist. Road mortality peaks when otters cross roads during dispersal and flood events - road underpasses and culvert covers reduce casualties at hotspots. Water quality, fish population health, and bankside disturbance all affect otter welfare and population stability. The continuation of recovery depends on maintaining river quality improvements and addressing new threats including mink and road casualties.