International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management
International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management
International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management
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No additional or detailed information was available. Additionally, at least four other giant<br />
otters were observed to have off-white/light pink pads (with all other foot parts normal <strong>and</strong><br />
healthy in appearance) when they were kept in appropriate enclosure conditions. These otters<br />
are believed to have recovered in the same manner as described, although the detailed history of<br />
foot problems with these individuals is unknown.)<br />
The degree to which pink foot/toe pads are unhealthy or problematic, should be compared<br />
to the obvious health problems that can exist if this unhealthy condition becomes even somewhat<br />
worse, which can happen easily <strong>and</strong> quickly even in typical conditions. This occurrence is<br />
unfortunately not uncommon. It must also be taken into consideration how frequently abnormal<br />
(i.e. pink) foot/toe pad conditions occur in captivity. It also should be compared to the<br />
(unknown) degree that the otter is caused discomfort because of this (typical) existing condition.<br />
The evaluation of the amount of unhealthiness or potential that this condition has to cause<br />
serious harm, seems quite significant when the typical captive otter is compared to a wild otter or<br />
a captive otter housed in appropriate situations. I.e. pink, which means pads are irritated <strong>and</strong><br />
damaged, is quite a different appearance <strong>and</strong> health condition compared to healthy normal foot<br />
<strong>and</strong> toe pads that are totally brown. This also indicates that too often zoos/institutions are not<br />
providing enclosure substrates (or/<strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios) in an appropriate way to maintain<br />
otters in their most healthy <strong>and</strong> natural state.<br />
In a long-term comparison study, the only otters observed in captivity with healthy <strong>and</strong><br />
natural appearing (i.e. most esp. in color) pads, webbing, <strong>and</strong> skin on the feet <strong>and</strong> toes were<br />
those that were housed on soft loose natural substrates that covered nearly the entire<br />
enclosure l<strong>and</strong>/floor area. Appropriate l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios were also offered. These otters<br />
were/are housed at Brasilia Zoo (most of them for their entire lives) where they had two similar<br />
expansive outdoor enclosures each sized 635 m 2 [6,835 ft²], sufficient swimming areas, <strong>and</strong><br />
85% l<strong>and</strong> to 15% water area ratios. Non-ferric Red Latosol soil (a recommended soil type)<br />
covered nearly the entire l<strong>and</strong> areas <strong>and</strong> the otters dug many underground dens throughout the<br />
extensive area of hillsides provided. Most of the thirteen otters housed <strong>and</strong> observed at Brasilia<br />
during the study period had healthy normal appearing feet as described, although the remainder<br />
had off-white/light pink color pads (with all other foot parts normal <strong>and</strong> healthy in condition).<br />
This indicated that these otters had recovered (within this exhibit) from having unhealthy feet.<br />
Additionally, one otter that was transferred from Brasilia Zoo, also exhibited completely healthy<br />
foot condition after it was housed at Dortmund Zoo in two of their three different giant otter<br />
enclosures. The l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> floors of these three enclosures are nearly entirely covered with soft<br />
s<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong>/or mulch as recommended, they have appropriate l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios, deep digging<br />
areas above minimum size, <strong>and</strong> indoor/outdoor access all year. (This zoo is located in a<br />
temperate climate.) In these same enclosures, four other otters had pads that were offwhite/light<br />
pink in color <strong>and</strong> the remaining foot parts were healthy in condition. These four<br />
otters had recovered from having unhealthy foot condition caused by long-term exposure (i.e.<br />
many years) to hard surfaces <strong>and</strong> in some cases as well, insufficient l<strong>and</strong> area because of<br />
inappropriate l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios.<br />
The comparison study was limited to observations made at six zoos, where the giant otters’ feet<br />
could be closely seen (Sykes-Gatz <strong>and</strong> Gatz, unpublished study <strong>and</strong> pers. obs.). (Each zoo had<br />
one or more giant otter enclosures.) The comparison of foot <strong>and</strong> toe webbing, skin, <strong>and</strong> pad<br />
condition within each zoo was made based on the experiences/study of the observers <strong>and</strong> close<br />
observations. The observers learned what the foot condition of wild giant otters are because of<br />
the appearance described by Groenendijk (Groenendijk, pers. comm.) who closely observes <strong>and</strong><br />
researches wild giant otters in Peru. The skin, pads, <strong>and</strong> webbing on the feet <strong>and</strong> toes of<br />
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