The Eurasian otter has recovered strongly in the UK following organochlorine pesticide bans, but welfare threats from vehicle collisions, fish traps and mink control persist.
Despite population recovery, individual otter welfare remains compromised by multiple human-caused mortality risks. Vehicle strikes on bridges crossing productive river sections cause sudden death or injury. Drowning in unmodified fish traps is a slow, severe welfare harm. Otters injured by vehicles or trapping have high rehabilitation costs and survival uncertainty. Habitat management — maintaining riverside vegetation, underpasses at road crossings, and otter-friendly bankside infrastructure — reduces collision risk and supports population welfare.