In the late 1950s and early 1960s otters underwent a sudden and catastrophic decline throughout much of Britain and Europe. The cause was probably the combined effects of pollution, bio- accumulating pesticides, (PCBs) habitat destruction, and the drainage of wetland areas.
In particular current factors that are causing loss or decline are: Pollution of watercourses, especially by PCBs. Insufficient prey associated with poor water quality. Impoverished bankside habitat features needed for breeding and resting. Incidental mortality, primarily by road deaths and drowning in eel traps.
Lutra lutra lutra inhabit a variety of freshwater habitats or coastal areas where freshwater pools are available for drinking and bathing close to shore.
Its distribution includes; Algeria, Belarus, China, Estonia, India, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Russia, Syria and Tunisia.
Lutra lutra lutra is considered as "Not evaluated" by the IUCN Red List. CITES lists the species as "Appendix 1".