Jo Pearse, from the Somerset Otters Group agreed and said the winter “was a terrible time for otters”.
“The rain swells the rivers and makes strong currents, forcing the otter sometimes onto the road.
“Dusk, when otters are active, coincides with rush hour, so we have more road deaths and of course this year is particularly bad, due to the high rainfall, effectively culling a significant percentage of Somerset’s population.”
On what could make it safer for otters, Gibbs said more road signs near to their habitats may help, as well as more awareness.
Gibbs said anyone who spots a dead otter on the road can report it to the otter group or alert the Secret World charity directly.