Wildlife Welfare

Wild Otter Road Mortality Prevention

Road mortality is a significant threat to otter populations in the UK. Targeted infrastructure improvements can substantially reduce otter deaths at road-water crossings.

Key Facts

Otters following watercourses regularly encounter road crossings
Culverts that force otters onto road surfaces are major mortality hotspots
Otter ledges and dry passages through culverts prevent road crossing
Mapping of road-water crossing mortality hotspots guides mitigation investment
Otter populations are recovering but road mortality limits recovery speed

Welfare Considerations

Road mortality causes significant welfare harm to individual otters and limits population recovery. Targeted infrastructure improvements at known hotspot crossings are cost-effective welfare and conservation interventions.

What You Can Do

Support organisations mapping and mitigating otter road mortality hotspots
Report otter road casualties to wildlife organisations
Advocate for otter ledge installation at road-water crossings during bridge maintenance
Learn about otter ecology and road safety in your local area