International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

must be able to accommodate these activities. (See Section 3 above for the reasons why.)
Captive giant otters have also been observed to climb rather well. Caution must be taken to
ensure that these animals can not climb or dig out of their enclosures.
Wünnemann (1995) suggests an unclimbable barrier at least 180 cm high be used to prevent
escape. Fence, lattice, concrete/stone walls, and glass have all been used to form containment
barriers. Some institutions have installed additional thick glass to provide unobstructed and/or
underwater viewing areas. Overhangs or fence roofs, with and/or without electric cattle
wire, are used and most often necessary to supplement barriers for safety reasons. When
electric wire is used, it must be placed well above the reach of an otter when it is in the
water. If it is not, this could be dangerous to the otter. Electric wires are most beneficial at the
top of containment barriers or on overhangs. Otters may escape during a power failure if
electric wire is used alone on climbable containment barriers. For river otters (species nonspecified),
Foster-Turley (1990) and Duplaix-Hall (1972) recommend a fence barrier have a
complete roof or a 60 cm unclimbable overhang at the top. Fence mesh size (while still
strong) should inhibit climbing. Fence (metal) with 5 cm x 5 cm (2" x 2") mesh is used most
often, but caution should be taken as giant otters could climb this fence. (Fence with 2.5 cm x
2.5 cm (1" x 1") mesh is also used for containment barriers. Fence mesh measuring 2 cm x 2 cm
[0.8" x 0.8"] is also used.) A giant otter died after it climbed a 2 m (6.56 ft) high fence and fell
to a concrete floor (Trebbau 1972). (Enclosure surfaces not covered with soft loose natural
substrates as required can cause various health problems. It is essential that the recommended
substrates are offered. See Sections 2-3 above.) Fence/lattice mesh sizes, such as those
aforementioned and lattice mesh 5 cm x 20 cm (2" x 8") in size, have been used for containment
barriers for one side of a den and for keeper/service doors. When fence/lattice is used for dens,
the fence/lattice must be covered over with solid materials during cub-rearing to isolate the dens
from human disturbances. (See more below on necessary den containment barriers and areas for
husbandry training etc..) Enclosure keeper doors made of solid materials (e.g. metal) have also
been used. Foster-Turley (1990) suggests containment fence and walls be extended at least
0.61 m (24") beneath the earth’s surface to prevent river otters (species non-specified)
from escaping underground. Caution: giant otters can easily dig 100 cm (3.28 ft) deep.
Climbable furnishings such as bushes, trees, ramps etc. must be kept well away from
containment barriers or removed or made unclimbable if they are near barriers.
Rockwork or gunnite containment barriers without uniform flat surfaces (e.g. those with large
depressions or that are formed into varied shapes) could also be climbed. Giant otters could also
shimmy up between furnishings that are not climbable (i.e. a stand of bamboo with thick
diameter stalks etc.) and containment barriers if they are close enough in proximity. Such
furnishings therefore must also be dealt with as aforementioned. Wünnemann (1995) reported
that a giant otter at Hagenbeck Tierpark easily climbed up a bush to a height higher than 2m.
Each enclosure, separable and off-exhibit enclosure area, and den needs its own individual
service entrance/keeper door. Service entrance design and placement must permit easy
access for multiple uses (e.g. large-scale maintenance work, carrying in large logs, pushing in
wheelbarrows etc.) and provide maximum safety. Safety precautions must be considered
during enclosure design, as otters can be dangerous and injurious to humans. For
example, all enclosures should be designed so that otters can be kept away from keepers
and other zoo staff when they need to service enclosures or need to closely view or work
with the animals in a protected contact situation. For additional safety, secondary
containment areas should be installed at enclosure entrances, esp. those outdoors.
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