International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

to help prevent water filtration/drain blockage. Natural furnishings that would be more difficult
or expensive to provide include boulders, fallen trees, large logs, and large tree stumps with
their roots. (See below for more information.) See Section 15 for toys that can be provided in
water areas. Toys for enrichment should only be used as addition to and never as a
substitute for the recommended water area furnishings and designs. All furniture should be
checked for safety to make sure otters can not become trapped within, between, or under the
items or become pinned between floating or submerged large objects and the pool-sides.
A brief description of furniture types follow. Section 4 above provides a full explanation on
how the items should be placed/located within the water area so they can be utilized and the
qualities that the logs, boulders etc. should possess (e.g. logs from deciduous rather than
coniferous trees & boulders with smooth rather than coarse surfaces are needed). That section
also describes how giant otters use these items and why they are recommended for use. Totally
and partially submerged logs and branches of varying sizes should be provided. The more
forks that the logs and branches have, the better. Partially submerged large diameter logs
that span from the water/pool to the shoreline’s edge are highly recommended as they are
well used. The otters should be able to at least rest/lean against these logs for various activities,
although it is preferable that they can lay their entire bodies on them as well. Partially
submerged smooth boulders that the otters can lie/stand on can be provided. Submerged
logs, tree stumps or boulders that extend close enough to the surface of the water, so that
the otters can stand on / rest their bodies on these items and keep their head or other body parts
above the water can also be offered. Floating (i.e. light weight branches and tall bamboo, tree
bark, sticks, very large leaves), semi-submerged, and totally submerged objects (small
smooth round river rocks are especially played with) that can be manipulated and
investigated can be offered. The aforementioned furniture is well used. The location of
light and medium weight submerged objects (i.e. logs, large branches, large tall bamboo) can be
moved easily and frequently to create variety in swimming patterns.
The zoos surveyed offered their giant otters either artificial pools (e.g. concrete base) or natural
pools (i.e. ponds with soil or sand substrate & aquatic vegetation). Natural furniture, deep and
shallow water areas, small wading pools, and/or swampy areas were also provided. Streams,
natural flow-through water, waterfalls with/without shallow play areas/pockets beneath were
used to enhance static water by creating stimulating water currents. Giant otters frequently play
with water flow from unreachable hoses or water faucets. Brasilia Zoo drapes an unreachable
(for the otters) running hose over the side of the containment barrier wall and directs it into the
pool to add variety. A few zoos used underwater pool viewing areas in their enclosures (with
either total glass fronts or smaller glass viewing areas). Zoo visitors enjoy watching the otters
swim and play underwater.
Section 8
Containment Barriers and Service/Keeper Door Designs
This species can climb and they are avid diggers. Giant otters with healthy behavior and the
recommended enclosure conditions, dig both deep and shallow into and groom on (which
includes digging and scratching) soft loose natural substrates throughout the entire expanse of
their land area. As instinctively avid diggers and groomers, these are among their most favored
and frequently performed land activities. These behaviors must not be prevented and enclosures
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