The Eurasian otter recovered from near-extinction in Britain following legal protection in 1978. Its continued welfare depends on clean water, abundant fish prey, and safe movement corridors.
Otters killed on roads die from collision trauma — often slowly if the vehicle strike does not cause instant death. Secondary poisoning from accumulated organochlorines and PCBs in fish prey causes reproductive failure and developmental problems. The installation of otter ledges and culvert passages under roads and bridges is one of the most cost-effective welfare interventions available to local authorities.