International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

hear, that even familiar keepers are near their enclosure, the parents can become disturbed. If
the otters directly see the keeper (whether the keeper is outside or inside the enclosure), even
greater stress can result. Inappropriate enclosure conditions can also cause abnormally
elevated or excessive levels of stress during cub-rearing (see Sections 3B above and 10B & C
for more information). I.e. without appropriate land to water ratios [i.e. enough land area],
enclosure land and floor substrates and deep digging area sizes, the parents' ability to
successfully rear cubs can be adversely affected or seriously compromised.
Even when disturbances are minimized as much as possible and video monitoring is used for
observations, not all disturbances can be prevented. Some examples from the following two
zoos’ experiences are discussed below to illustrate this point. (See other examples in Part C
below.) (It is important to note that at the following two institutions, the cubs were reared in
indoor housing that was blocked off to all humans, except for of the limited, minimized, and
restricted husbandry actions taken by one or two primary/familiar caretakers. Nestbox and den
areas were also restricted to the primary keepers. These indoor exhibits were/are not expansive
in size.)
For example, a light bulb burnt out in the keeper isle of an indoor building that the giant otters
were housed in at Hagenbeck Tierpark and no other disturbance was reported to occur at that
time. This seemingly insignificant event caused massive unrest and stress to the parents rearing
their litter (Flügger 1997 & pers. comm.). Video monitoring was used to assess cub-health and
parental care.
At Dortmund Zoo only the most necessary husbandry actions were performed at parturition and
during cub-rearing and by only the two keepers most familiar with the otters. (I.e. except for
having to hand feed antibiotics one time per day for 5 days, only quick feeding and on one
occasion, on day 6 of the 7 days that cub-rearing took place, feces was quickly removed/dry
spot cleaned in one exhibit area far from the nestboxes). Actions were carried out in such a way
as to create the absolute minimum of disturbance. All movements were done very quietly and
tasks were completed as quickly as possible and, if possible, only when the otters were asleep.
Movement and entrance was restricted/forbidden and allowed only in areas remote from the
nestboxes (i.e. activity primarily occurred near the area feeding took place, which was called the
“feed den”). The exhibit design allows the keeper to access the feed den and exhibit via an
entrance isolated from the enclosure. The feed den, in the indoor enclosure, is located as far
away from the nestboxes as possible, as is the behind-the-scenes keeper entrance to the indoor
building. Infrared video cameras for each of the four nestboxes, another three video cameras
positioned on the exhibit, and a baby sound monitor were previously installed in the inside giant
otter exhibit. An area for monitoring and recording was also established in the otter house
basement, a nearly soundproof room. On the day of parturition, the giant otter house was closed
to all persons (i.e. public and zoo staff) except for of the two primary giant otter keepers. Video
monitoring was used to assess cub-health and parental care. The otters were video-taped 24
hours per day and taping was monitored “live” for 10-14 hours per day. Much was learned in
just 7 days (i.e. nursing times, behaviors etc.). (Some previous litters were quietly watched
from a hidden and isolated viewing area outside the exhibit and the otters were also isolated
from human disturbances.)
If the parents were awake, the slightest of noises, such as that coming from slowly and carefully
opened doors and the unseen primary giant otter keeper quietly and quickly putting food in the
feed den, resulted in nervous behavior, moderate cub abuse, and abnormal handling on both the
parents parts (Sykes-Gatz 2002, pers. obs. & unpublished report). (When the term "abuse" is
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