International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

practices and enclosure designs allow for the provision of fresh food and enclosures without
left-over/spoiled fish, unsanitary water, and overly accumulated fecal remains, with no or
minimal human disturbance. See above for additional enrichment items, i.e. toys, that can be
offered during cub-rearing. See above for ways to monitor cub progress etc..
Cleaning by hosing and scrubbing enclosures can cause disturbance and this should be avoided
when possible. When enclosures are furnished with soft loose natural substrates as
recommended, dry spot cleaning is sanitary and much easier and quicker to accomplish than the
aforementioned method. This cleaning method will significantly minimize disturbance to the
parents. Water areas, e.g. pools, swim tanks etc., can be drained and refilled with clean water,
but it is advisable to avoid scrubbing the pools clean if possible. Water areas 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.
It is crucial to remember that even when primary/familiar keepers are carrying out
limited/minimized activities to service the otters during cub-rearing or keepers are near or
in the enclosure, the presence of the caretaker alone and/or the activities performed
(whether detected, seen, or just heard by the otters) can cause significant disturbance and
stress to the otters. See Part A above for an explanation and examples.
Before parturition, nestbox bedding materials such as straw, hay, and leaves should be
removed during cub-rearing to maintain nestbox dryness without human intervention in the
nestbox area. Woodwool should not be used during cub-rearing as cubs may become entangled
in it and also for the same reasons as above. The recommended types and qualities of mulch or
soft sand, at least 10 cm to 20 cm (4" to 8") in depth, should be placed in nestboxes as a
replacement for the aforementioned materials. This will help keep the nestboxes dry with no or
low maintenance from keepers and provide soft surfaces for the cubs (see Section 2 above).
Although, when enclosure land to water ratios, other land and water area designs or locations,
land or floor substrate types, qualities, or depths, or den and nestbox locations are not provided
as recommended, nestboxes/bedding substrates and land areas can remain very damp/wet. (See
Section 3 above for the serious health problems that can develop in these situations). Note: no
bedding materials are needed within natural underground dens other than the soil floor naturally
present. It should be determined before litter birth how any live plants within the otters’ indoor
enclosure can be watered without disturbance, e.g. by automatic watering systems etc..
Shifting and locking the otters into various enclosure parts should be limited as much as
possible. Rather than locking otters into their nestboxes or dens, it is much less disturbing and
frustrating/stressful to the otters, when they are locked/held onto opposing enclosure sides. This
can be accomplished best, i.e. with less disturbance, when the animals are sleeping. If the
necessary action must be done at a time when the otters are not sleeping, the otters may be able
to be lured over to a particular enclosure side and distracted by feeding. The keeper should feed
in such a way so that he/she is not detected by the otters. Otters should never be chased away
from their cubs, nestboxes, dens, natural underground dens or particular enclosure areas unless
it is an emergency. This could be extremely stressful and disturbing to the otters.
Cubs and parents must not be disturbed and nestboxes, dens containing nestboxes, and
underground dens must not be entered/disturbed unless the action is considered essential
to ensure the survival of the cubs or other group members. These actions include those
necessary during emergencies, crucial medical care, vaccinations (e.g. at 8, 12, and 16 weeks
old) and pulling cubs for handrearing. For example, cubs should not be weighed, measured,
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