International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

keep cubs from crawling out (Duplaix-Hall 1975). Transparent viewing areas should not be
created within nestboxes as they could detract from the feeling of safety and privacy. Nestboxes
should remain dark or if necessary infrared lighting could be used when video cameras (see
below) do not have infrared capabilities. See Chapter 2 Sections 12-14 for information on
natural underground dens, dens, and nestboxes for construction methods for privacy etc..
Areas where food will be offered and keepers will need to enter the enclosures for cleaning
etc. should be located and designed so that they can be accessed/serviced quietly, quickly,
and easily and if possible while hidden from the otters’ view. Water areas should also be
designed and located so that they can be accessed and serviced in a similar manner. E.g.
swim tanks and pools can be designed so that they can be emptied and filled with fresh water
or/and be provided with a small gentle constant flow of fresh water, without the keeper having
to enter the enclosure. Enclosure, den, and nestbox animal shift doors that can be controlled
easily and quietly and when hidden from the otter’s view will minimize disturbance. (Note:
nestboxes within dens generally do not need shift doors.) In these cases, small viewing areas of
the shift doors are necessary for otter safety during shifts. In addition, shift door control handles
that can be placed directly next to the dens etc. can be used when otters are not rearing cubs, for
easier shifting. Dens, nestboxes, areas for natural underground dens, animal shift doors,
and enclosures should be designed and located so that when cubs require vaccinations or
emergency or medical care, parents can be easily shifted/locked as far away as possible
from the den and nestbox area and in an area where they cannot see the cubs being
handled. This is necessary to minimize stress and disturbance during these rare events. See
below for methods used to accomplish this. With the recommended land and water area designs
and locations (esp. appropriate land to water ratios), substrate types, qualities and depths, and
nestbox and den locations, nestboxes, dens, and land areas should remain dry enough so that
bedding and other substrates do not need to be replaced/added to during cub-rearing. I.e. no or
low maintenance will be required. Note: nestboxes, dens, and natural underground dens must
not be entered and parents and cubs must not be disturbed or handled during cub-rearing unless
it is necessary to ensure the survival of the otters (see below). It is important to remember that
giant otters can be very dangerous and can seriously harm/injure caretakers at any time, but
they can be particularly dangerous and protective when they are rearing cubs. Enclosures
should be designed with these considerations in mind.
Windows and glass doors to buildings housing giant otters can be covered with posters,
paper, cardboard, plywood, bamboo fencing etc. so visitors cannot peer inside. Barriers can
also be placed near the front of visitor entrance doors to help prevent the public from
trying to attract the otters’ attention. E.g. visitors may bang/knock on the doors to waken the
otters etc.. Public access paths to outdoor enclosures can be blocked to allow otters privacy
outdoors as well as indoors and signs can be placed asking visitors to be as quiet as possible
when near these areas. Enclosures can also be surrounded with non-transparent barriers
such as a tall wooden fence etc. for additional visual privacy.
Wooden nestboxes or nestboxes made of other materials might be successful and provide
additional privacy if they are placed underground, esp. in hillsides/banks where the soil cavesin,
although this technique has not been reported to be tried. It is unknown if this would be
successful in a giant otter enclosure. It is important that the nestbox floors remain dry and soft
loose substrates, such as sand or mulch, are provided within the nestbox as recommended.
Small drainage holes covering the floor might help to aid water drainage. All boxes must be
able to be accessed to monitor and replace bedding substrates when they become wet or very
damp, mulch breaks down into small pieces, or substrates become too shallow etc.. (Natural
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