Otters Back from the Brink of Extinction
Otters, which almost disappeared from England in the 1970s due to the toxic effects of pesticides, are now found in every region of England, and in every county except Kent.
In south west England and along the River Wye, otter populations have reached their maximum capacity. There are also healthy populations in Northumbria, Cumbria, Wessex and the Upper Severn.
The Environment Agency has predicted that the species will now fully recover across England in less than 20 years.
The otter population has recovered thanks to a ban on harmful pesticides put in place in the 1970s and legal protection given to otters, making it an offence to intentionally kill or harm the animal. They have also been helped by a significant improvement in water quality over the past 20 years, bringing fish back to rivers that were once grossly polluted. Otter
Paul Raven, Head of Conservation and Ecology at the Environment Agency said: “The otter is at the top of the food chain, and as such is an important indicator of the health English rivers.
“The recovery of otters from near-extinction shows how far we’ve come in controlling pollution and improving water quality. Rivers in England are the healthiest for over 20 years, and otters, salmon and other wildlife are returning to many rivers for the first time since the industrial revolution.
“But there is still work to be done, and we will continue to work with farmers, businesses and water companies to reduce pollution and improve water quality even further, to ensure the full recovery of the otter across the country.”
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
