Advanced understanding of otter habitat requirements informs river restoration priorities that improve individual otter welfare and population productivity. Bankside management and water quality are the key levers.
Individual otters in rivers with well-managed bankside habitat, good water quality, and adequate fish populations show high territory fidelity and breeding success reflecting good welfare. Rivers lacking these features force otters to range more widely, increasing road mortality risk. Targeted riparian habitat management delivers welfare improvements that cascade through otter population productivity.