International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

the otters) as well. Nestboxes, dens, and underground dens must not be entered and cubs must
not be disturbed/handled unless it is necessary to ensure the survival of the otters (see below).
Because the situation of giant otters in captivity is so critical, unnecessary risks should not
be taken. E.g. if parents were locked away from the den and nestbox area and their nestboxes
were opened to provide necessary medical care to the cubs, and the parents did not react
negatively, this does not mean that similar procedures should/can be repeated for non-essential
actions, just based on the parents’ reaction in the aforementioned situation. If such chances
were taken, there could be a possibility that the parents would begin to react negatively if such
procedures were repeated too often. If parents were to suddenly eat or severely injure the cub
as a result of the disturbance, there is not much that could be done to prevent such a reaction.
As well, negative behavioral patterns could develop if the parents’ tolerance level to such
disturbances was exceeded. These risks should not be taken, esp. in light of the current
situation.
Hagenbeck & Wünnemann (1992), Wünnemann (1995) and Flügger (1997) emphasize that
caretakers that otters are not familiar with could create a significant source of disturbance. Only
primary otter keepers/caretakers, most familiar with the otters, should care for otters
during cub-rearing and all other humans, visual and acoustic disturbances should be
prohibited near the entire exhibit/enclosure. The number of keepers caring for the giant
otters during cub-rearing should be kept to a minimum, i.e. no more than two keepers if
possible. Keepers should keep detailed records of developments and problems and relay this
information to the other caretakers involved.
Otter keepers should develop a good report with the giant otters in their care. For example,
training is a great tool to improve the keeper - animal relationship, which is especially important
in the case of giant otters (Gatz 1997). In a zoo environment, some minimal disturbances are
unavoidable during cub-rearing and it is essential that the otters are very familiar with and
comfortable with the caretaker during this period to lessen the disturbance/stress.
Only the most essential husbandry actions should be carried out when parents are rearing
their cubs and they should be minimized/limited as much as possible. These actions should
be done as quietly and quickly as possible and otters should not see the keepers
performing their work. During the first week or longer, depending on parental tolerance,
keepers should not clean or enter the enclosure. (The enclosure will likely develop a strong
smell from the defecation-urination build up, although even spot cleaning during the first week
can cause great disturbance. This method has been successfully used in both indoor and outdoor
giant otter enclosures either in South America or outside of South America without the
development of health or other problems. E.g. at least one institution in South America did not
enter the outdoor enclosure, which was not an expansive or natural enclosure, for cleaning for a
three month period during cub-rearing to allow maximum privacy. No problems resulted during
the multiple times this practice was used and 100% of the cubs were successfully reared.)
Keepers should place the otters’ food in areas where the otters cannot see the keeper and
in areas that the keeper can quietly, quickly, and easily access, without disturbance to the
otters. Minimal exhibit cleaning, e.g. dry spot cleaning of feces and fish remains, should
be carried out in the same way. It is ideal to service enclosures when the parents are
asleep. Left-over fish should be minimized/eliminated by feeding only what otters eat
readily. (E.g. if at the end of the day a significant amount of fish remains are left over, less
should be fed the next day.) This is necessary to avoid health problems (see Section 2 for
health problems that could result and cleaning methods). It is important that husbandry
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