UK otter populations have recovered remarkably but road mortality at river crossings is now the leading cause of otter death, requiring targeted mitigation.
Road collisions cause severe traumatic injuries causing acute welfare suffering. Orphaned cubs resulting from road-killed mothers require specialist rehabilitation before release. Welfare priorities include installing dry ledges or otter passes at road bridges over otter rivers, signage warning drivers near known otter crossing points, and speed reductions near high-risk crossings.