Threats

Building development, industrial activity and agriculture can all have an adverse effect on the otters habitat.
 
Pollution is still a problem in some parts of the country: a threat to otters and the fish for which they depend upon for their food.
 
Road traffic is a major threat to expanding otter populations. This mainly occurs around road bridges, but this can be tackled.
Survey work is done to assess bridges that otters are less likely to want to swim under (such as dark, narrow tunnels with a fast water flow). These can then be tackled by highway maintenance.
 
Disturbance from mink hunting is potentially damaging where otters remain in isolated populations.