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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expansive enclosures are available <strong>and</strong> the amount of enrichment <strong>and</strong> privacy designs available<br />
within an enclosure. The husb<strong>and</strong>ry practices that can affect cub-rearing success include: how<br />
well enclosures <strong>and</strong> nestbox, den, <strong>and</strong> natural underground den areas are isolated from human<br />
disturbances <strong>and</strong> presence, how well caretakers limit <strong>and</strong> minimize their activities <strong>and</strong> carry<br />
them out so that they do not disturb otters, if the otters are familiar <strong>and</strong> comfortable with their<br />
caretakers, <strong>and</strong> if parental care <strong>and</strong> cub development, behavior, <strong>and</strong> health is monitored in a way<br />
that does not cause disturbance to the otters.<br />
When cubs are reared to independence, unfamiliar <strong>and</strong> temporarily separated animals are<br />
introduced <strong>and</strong> then housed together, or otters are maintained to an old age in<br />
inappropriate enclosure conditions or/<strong>and</strong> with inappropriate husb<strong>and</strong>ry practices, this<br />
does not validate that the enclosure conditions <strong>and</strong>/or husb<strong>and</strong>ry practices used were<br />
appropriate. (I.e. this does not mean that these circumstances are appropriate because such<br />
outcomes have occurred.) It is essential that inappropriate enclosure conditions <strong>and</strong><br />
husb<strong>and</strong>ry practices are not repeated or used at any other institution based on the<br />
conclusions that such outcomes have occurred.<br />
It is necessary that enclosures are designed or at least modified <strong>and</strong> husb<strong>and</strong>ry practices<br />
are changed so that they can provide/allow for the following conditions discussed below.<br />
When modifications must be made <strong>and</strong> the construction/provision processes for the alterations<br />
may disturb otters with cubs, they must be done before parturition. Most all modifications<br />
must be done before parturition, although some minor changes, such as locking enclosure<br />
building doors so that visitors/staff cannot enter etc., may be able to be done the day of<br />
parturition when they can be completed without disturbing the otters. I.e. the otters must not see<br />
or hear the alteration being made. Large/significant changes, such as installing extensive blinds,<br />
visual barriers etc. around large areas of the enclosure, should be done before parturition. Even<br />
if such changes can be done without the otters detecting that the modification is being made,<br />
they should be done before parturition, as significant physical changes to/near the exhibit at or<br />
after parturition, will likely disturb the otters.<br />
It is necessary that every enclosure is appropriately furnished <strong>and</strong> designed to keep the otters<br />
physically, mentally, <strong>and</strong> behaviorally healthy, whether otters are rearing cubs or not. I.e. it<br />
is essential that within each indoor <strong>and</strong> outdoor giant otter enclosure the l<strong>and</strong> to water<br />
ratio is provided as recommended (i.e. enough l<strong>and</strong> is offered), the recommended soft loose<br />
natural substrate types, qualities, <strong>and</strong> depths cover nearly the entire l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> floor area<br />
(including dens), <strong>and</strong> at least the minimum recommended size deep digging area is<br />
provided. (Note: each enclosure below 240 m² (2,583.4 ft²) in size, requires a different l<strong>and</strong><br />
to water area ratio based on its specific size. Enclosures between 240 m² to 600 m² (6,458 ft²)<br />
require other l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios, as do enclosures above 600 m².) The other recommended<br />
l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> water area locations <strong>and</strong> designs <strong>and</strong> locations for nestboxes, dens <strong>and</strong> areas for<br />
natural underground dens are also needed. These include the provision of plentiful<br />
l<strong>and</strong>/floor area bordering <strong>and</strong> extending away from the water’s edge, water area contour lines as<br />
recommended, no more l<strong>and</strong> area exposed to water edges than recommended, <strong>and</strong> nestboxes,<br />
dens, <strong>and</strong> areas for underground dens located a sufficient distance away from the water’s edge.<br />
See Section 3 above for the health problems that adults <strong>and</strong> cubs can develop when these<br />
provisions are not provided. E.g. cub death can occur when enclosure surfaces remain very<br />
damp/wet because of inappropriate substrates, l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios, nestbox/den locations, <strong>and</strong>/or<br />
other l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> water area designs. See Chapter 2 Sections 1-2 <strong>and</strong> 5 (under what is needed to<br />
keep areas dry) for the necessary substrates, l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> water area designs <strong>and</strong> locations, <strong>and</strong><br />
locations for the nestboxes, dens, areas for the natural underground dens. The other<br />
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