International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

esponses that usually/normally or easily occur during cub-rearing or new/unusual situations can
be increased. Abnormally elevated and excessive levels of negative responses have occurred and
these reactions in turn have caused greater problems. I.e. the ability of giant otters to
successfully rear cubs and adjust to new/unusual situations has been adversely affected or
seriously compromised. (Increased negative responses, resulting from the new/unusual or cubrearing
situation, can occur alone or in addition to any already existing mental and behavioral
health problems that have been caused by inappropriate enclosure conditions. Other additional
stressful situations during these times, e.g. when otters are captured, examined, anesthetized,
held in very small enclosures, will only aggravate the problems.)
For example, stress to giant otter parents rearing cubs has been responsible for many litter
losses. (See the affects of stress etc. on cub-rearing success in Section 10.) Stress, most
especially results from human disturbances and presence during cub-rearing, although
inadequate enclosure conditions (as described) can increase stress caused from these sources
and/or in itself create additional new stresses during cub-rearing. E.g. bored or stressed parents
or older siblings can excessively focus on, handle, play with, abuse, or kill cubs or be
responsible indirectly or directly for the cubs' death, as a result of having nothing else better to
focus their attentions on. Additionally, sometimes during cub-rearing giant otters may have to
be held in indoor enclosures (e.g. during cold weather or to offer privacy) and locked out of
their adjoining outdoor enclosures. It is very important that these generally smaller indoor
enclosures are properly furnished and designed to counteract the frustration, boredom, etc. that
otters, who normally have year-around outdoor access can likely experience. This is also
crucial in all small enclosures [i.e. enclosures below 240m² (2,583.4 ft²)] such as temporary
holding areas, quarantine, or any enclosure, whether permanent or temporary. When animals
are moved to new enclosures or held in quarantine or temporary holding areas fear, stress,
boredom, and nervousness can be significantly reduced with just the appropriate provisions
aforementioned. Without such provisions, negative responses can increase, so that the ability to
successfully adjust to these new situations can be adversely affected or seriously compromised
and future healthy behavior (if the enclosure is a permanent/long-term home) will not be
possible in such conditions.
(Note: when appropriate conditions are provided during quarantine (or at any other time),
enclosures can easily be kept sanitary and otters will be able to stay clean and dry when they are
on land. Also, when just a very small area of hard surfaces are left without soft loose substrates,
giant otters will usually eliminate only on this area, so fecal samples can be easily collected.)
During introductions of unfamiliar animals and temporarily separated familiar otters, animals
need to take frequent breaks from the intensity and tension (and possibly fear) of the new
situation by having stimulating enclosures to focus their activities and attentions on. They also
need to refocus their attention on something else other than solely each other. (It is important to
remember that in addition to the otters having to adjust to each other, they also have to adjust to
a new enclosure, husbandry practices, keepers, etc. when they are moved from other locations
and this can cause additional stress. Also when otters are held in very small temporary holding
enclosures, such as in quarantine or separable enclosure areas (during visual introductions), this
may likely cause additional stress.) It is especially important that they have adequately furnished
and sufficient land area to focus on to relieve their stress etc. and focus on something else other
than the other otter. They also need sufficient land area to get away from each other and rest
alone. Focusing solely on each other and/or abnormally elevated or excessive negative
responses can cause introduction difficulties. It can result in serious fights and injuries. (Refer
to Chapter 2 Sections 18 and 10C for injuries and/or deaths caused during the introduction of
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