International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

level area within the enclosure. (See Sections 2 and 10 for more information on this
institution’s cub-rearing experiences and enclosure design, soil type etc..)
Multiple successful giant otter litters were reared in otter-dug underground dens in Cuiabá
Zoo’s (Brazil) very expansive natural outdoor exhibit (Louzada da Silva, pers. comm. 1998).
The 4,282 m 2 (46,091 ft²) exhibit also allowed parents rearing cubs to get away from human
disturbances as well as many other benefits.
At the Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi (Belem, Brazil) giant otter parents chose to dig their own
underground den to raise their cub in, rather than the (artificial) nestbox already provided
(“Genealogical Meeting…” 1998). The entire exhibit was closed off to zoo staff and visitors
and only the zoo veterinarian monitored and serviced (with very limited/restricted activities) the
otters during cub-rearing. The cub was successfully reared in the natural underground den.
This exhibit was not expansive in size.
At the Criatorio Crocodilo Safari (Belem, Brazil) the pair successfully reared a giant otter litter
in a very expansive natural enclosure 14 hectares (34.6 acres) in size. It is assumed that the pair
within this enclosure reared their litter in natural underground dens that were likely present
within the enclosure. The pair gave birth to one litter total when they were held at this
institution.
Although wild giant otters can and do climb very steep banks that have soft substrates, it
is not advisable to provide steep banks or steep hills in captivity. E.g. erosion problems
could likely occur and otters could have difficulty climbing these (esp. young cubs, old animals,
or parents carrying cubs) etc.. As well it should not be assumed that because giant otters can
climb steep banks in the wild, that they can comfortably climb steep inclines made of hard
surfaces, such as concrete, wood etc.. In the wild giant otters use the soft texture of the soil to
dig their feet/nails into to help them get a good grip on the surface and this helps enable them to
climb steep banks more easily. Whether steep or not, ramps and stairs (with hard surfaces)
do not offer this quality. They can be difficult for otters to climb, cubs or old animals may
not be able to get up and down them at all, parents can have a difficult time carrying cubs
up and down them, and animals could be injured if they fall or jump off the surfaces.
They can also be slippery (esp. when they are very damp or wet). Ramps and stairs are
not advisable for use on any land area. (Even when ramps have rungs/slats or concrete has
gentle step like indentations they can be difficult and dangerous to climb.) Stairs or any
structure/surface that otters must climb every day in a significant manner to access or
utilize it should not be included within enclosures as there may be a possibility that they
could cause walking difficulties/abnormalities involving the otters’ hind legs and lower back
(Wünnemann, pers. comm. 2003). (Note: climbing artificial stairs or the other
surfaces/structures as aforementioned are not the same as other forms of climbing. Captive
giant otters often climb onto and lay on the top of their nestboxes and large diameter logs, tree
stumps etc. This behavior is natural (they climb and lay on large fallen trees in the wild), they
enjoy it, and it is not harmful to their health.) See Chapter 2 Section 3 for similar health
problems caused by hard surfaces. If ramps have to be used because no other option is possible,
they should be made of non-slippery material and have wooden slats/rungs to aid grip. They
should also be enclosed on all sides like a tunnel (if they are over land areas) and be made with
as gentle slope as possible.
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