Otter expert Rob Colley

Its the second time in the last half century that otters in Wales have come under a real threat.

In the late 1950s otters faced extinction, a victim of the threat from pollution from pesticides and changing habitats.

But thanks to the work of conservationists the otter population has been thriving until this most recent threat from the motor car.

Priority

Otter expert Rob Colley said: "Any species doing well is going to come into conflict, basically with us."

"That is what is happening with the otter and the motor car."

Now road developers are being urged to come up with improved designs to enable the otters to pass safely under bridges.

Kerry Rogers, manager of the Environment Agency project, said a list of priority and top priority sites had been drawn up and efforts would be made to improve them for otters with the help of local highway authorities.