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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was moved to another enclosure (Gatz pers. comm. 1996). The two litters born after these<br />
separations occurred were both eaten by the mother within 2 days after parturition. Litter loss<br />
resulted because the mother was under a great deal of stress (i.e. she was nervous, frustrated,<br />
<strong>and</strong> exhibited excessive stereotypical behaviors etc.) from the massive change <strong>and</strong> disturbance<br />
caused by the separation.<br />
Separating the parents is not recommended for more reasons than only the significant<br />
chance that it will result in litter loss. Because mated pairs bond for life, breaking this bond<br />
can cause both individuals significant stress whether they are cub-rearing or not (Sykes-Gatz<br />
<strong>and</strong> Gatz, pers. obs.). Also, if parents are separated <strong>and</strong> introduced to other partners multiple<br />
times, this may have a significantly negative effect on the otters’ behavior. In addition, reintroducing<br />
any giant otters that have been separated, can be in some cases, especially difficult,<br />
dangerous/injurious to the otters <strong>and</strong> sometimes impossible. For example, giant otters that were<br />
housed together, temporarily separated, then re-introduced had serious fights during their reintroductions<br />
(see below). These fights led to injuries. The female also tried to kill her former<br />
mate during the re-introduction process <strong>and</strong> in the other case, the re-introduction attempt was<br />
aborted because it was unsuccessful due to the aggression that occurred during the introduction<br />
(Sykes-Gatz <strong>and</strong> Gatz pers. obs. 2001; Brasilia Zoo, pers. comm. 2002). See Section 18 as well<br />
as Section 3B for more introduction information.<br />
A very compatible pair that was kept together for 7 years <strong>and</strong> that had many litters together was<br />
separated for eight months <strong>and</strong> housed far away from each other during the separation<br />
(Dortmund Zoo, Sykes-Gatz unpublished report & pers. obs. & Gatz pers. obs.). Just after the<br />
separation, the female was introduced to a new male, although this pair proved to be<br />
incompatible. The introduction took 5 weeks to accomplish <strong>and</strong> it was very difficult to<br />
introduce the animals, because the female’s ability to adjust to this new situation was seriously<br />
compromised because of inappropriate enclosure conditions. It was very difficult as the female<br />
was extremely stressed, nervous, <strong>and</strong> acting in a neurotic manner (e.g. she performed extreme<br />
stereotypical swim pacing behaviors). This resulted because of being separated from her<br />
previous mate <strong>and</strong> being housed in an enclosure that did not offer the conditions necessary to<br />
reduce stress <strong>and</strong> other negative responses during all (including new/unusual) situations. (She<br />
was also housed in such enclosures for most of her life <strong>and</strong> it seems this was responsible for her<br />
general unhealthy mental state during normal circumstances. Note: her mate also suffered<br />
similar problems. See Chapter 2 Section 3 <strong>and</strong> below.) Even with four weeks of visual<br />
introduction <strong>and</strong> one week of full-contact introductions (the length of the full-contact periods<br />
were gradually increased over the week), the female was very aggressive <strong>and</strong> extremely<br />
domineering. She initiated serious fights <strong>and</strong> even tried to kill the male during the introduction<br />
period. Although the pair became compatible enough after the introduction to live together<br />
without the female inflicting injury to her new partner, the female remained so domineering<br />
over the male that eventually he was not able to eat enough food to maintain a healthy weight.<br />
This pair had to be separated after 8 months of being paired. The female again became<br />
extremely stressed, nervous, <strong>and</strong> neurotic because of the same conditions as mentioned above.<br />
Just after this separation, she was re-introduced to her original partner. It took approx. 2 months<br />
(with visual introduction for 40 days <strong>and</strong> then physical full-contact introduction for 18 days) to<br />
fully reintroduce them. For the same reasons as above, the controlled <strong>and</strong> closely monitored<br />
introduction was long, very difficult, <strong>and</strong> both of the otters were extremely stressed <strong>and</strong> nervous,<br />
<strong>and</strong> they fought many times. (The female was very dominant <strong>and</strong> was the aggressor; she<br />
initiated the fights <strong>and</strong> even tried to kill the male.) After 2 months the pair was finally fully<br />
introduced, <strong>and</strong> gradually, after a few months (during which both animals were exceedingly<br />
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