Throughout history the otter has been widely persecuted: pursued for its fur and flesh, and killed for profit, pleasure, fashion, and revenge. By contrast they are highly revered by other groups, Native Americans for example, and they were trained to assist fishermen in parts of Asia. Otter reveals how the animals identity has been shaped by a variety of human interactions, ranging from folklore, traditional practices, commercial enterprise, sport, popular literature, cinema, television and conservation.