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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underground dens do not need to be serviced in this way when the recommended soil types <strong>and</strong><br />
hillside designs are offered. No bedding materials need to be offered within them.) Nestboxes<br />
must be able to remain dry enough, without servicing, for long periods during cub-rearing.<br />
(Appropriate enclosure designs <strong>and</strong> substrates must also be provided to keep the nestboxes dry.)<br />
It is unknown if underground nestboxes would be able to possess these qualities. If they do not,<br />
it may be difficult or impossible to not disturb parents during cub-rearing when the nestboxes<br />
require servicing.<br />
Infra-red video cameras with microphones, placed in each nestbox, den, <strong>and</strong> enclosure<br />
area to monitor the entire enclosure <strong>and</strong> viewing monitors (with recorders) located well<br />
outside of <strong>and</strong> isolated from the enclosure area/housing, are highly recommended to<br />
monitor cub development, behavior, <strong>and</strong> health <strong>and</strong> parental care without disturbance to<br />
the otters (Hagenbeck & Wünnemann 1992, Wünnemann 1995, <strong>and</strong> Flügger 1997).<br />
[Hagenbeck Tierpark (Hagenbeck & Wünnemann 1992) was the first zoo to use this method<br />
with giant otters <strong>and</strong> they highly recommend its use, as it allows parents rearing cubs maximum<br />
isolation. Since, at least two other zoos, Dortmund <strong>and</strong> Cali Zoos, have also used this method<br />
with great success.] Microphones for monitoring vocalizations are very important, as they<br />
present the other half of the “full picture”. The vocalizations of cubs <strong>and</strong> parents will tell as<br />
much about what is occurring, as visual pictures will. E.g. otter vocalizations are just as<br />
important to determine the health <strong>and</strong> contentment of the cubs <strong>and</strong> parents, as are visual<br />
pictures. When giant otter cubs are crying more often than usual, this indicates that they are<br />
hungry, feeling neglected, being abused, or feeling sick. Also, it is much easier to determine<br />
when cubs are actually nursing, because during this activity they make “nursing hums” <strong>and</strong><br />
display “tail wagging”. (See Chapter 3 for information on these behaviors.) If recording<br />
systems are not available with microphones, a baby sound monitor can be used, although “half<br />
of the picture” will be missing during play back of a video. Section 14 below describes ideas<br />
for how to install video cameras in nestboxes.<br />
With a video monitoring system caretakers can determine if emergency intervention is needed<br />
e.g. when cubs need to be pulled for h<strong>and</strong>rearing etc.. Determining the location <strong>and</strong> activity of<br />
the parents <strong>and</strong> cubs by video monitoring can also indicate the optimal times that exist for the<br />
keeper to service the enclosure <strong>and</strong> feed the animals. E.g. when the parents are sleeping, this is<br />
the best time to quickly carry out minimal cleaning <strong>and</strong> when otters are located far from the<br />
feeding area or areas that needs to be serviced, servicing can be carried out with less disturbance<br />
to the otters. Much can be learned about cub development etc. <strong>and</strong> parental care with a<br />
monitoring system as described. It is crucial that this information is recorded <strong>and</strong> shared with<br />
the scientific community to increase overall knowledge. For example, the frequency <strong>and</strong> length<br />
of nursing activity should be monitored as it can be used for comparisons to other litters, i.e. to<br />
detect problems etc.. It also can be used to help better formulate h<strong>and</strong>rearing guidelines.<br />
Parental cub abuse <strong>and</strong> neglect in reaction to disturbances, i.e. any actions carried out by<br />
humans near <strong>and</strong> in enclosures etc., should also be closely monitored <strong>and</strong> recorded. Negative<br />
reactions to human disturbances may not occur immediately after the disturbances have taken<br />
place (see Part A above). The time, type, <strong>and</strong> degree of both the disturbances <strong>and</strong> parental<br />
behaviors should be closely monitored either from the recommended hidden viewing areas or<br />
on video monitors/tapes. This information should be recorded on an on-going basis to<br />
evaluate the actual presence of negative responses. This way appropriate correlation can<br />
be made to identify what disturbs the otters <strong>and</strong> what husb<strong>and</strong>ry practices are<br />
necessary/must be changed to prevent such disturbances. This also can identify enclosure<br />
modifications or conditions that may be needed for future litters to provide privacy. See<br />
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