International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

Section 18
Introducing Unfamiliar & Temporarily Separated Otters
Giant otters that are unfamiliar with each other and those that have been temporarily
separated (i.e. animals that were previously housed together) must be
introduced/reintroduced to each other in a gradual, cautious and closely monitored
manner. It is necessary that visual-acoustic-olfactory introductions are conducted before
potentially dangerous physical full-contact introductions are attempted. (When the term
"visual introduction" is used within this manual it actually implies a "visual-acoustic-olfactory
introduction".) These animals must also be provided with appropriate enclosure conditions
during such introductions. Reports of significant injury and death during improperly
conducted giant otter introductions have not been uncommon.
It is necessary that every enclosure is appropriately furnished and designed to keep otters
physically, mentally, and behaviorally healthy. This includes enclosures that are used to
temporarily hold otters during introductions (e.g. separable enclosure areas), quarantine areas
etc.. I.e. it is essential that within each indoor and outdoor giant otter enclosure the land to
water ratio is provided as recommended (i.e. enough land is offered), the recommended
soft loose natural substrate types, qualities, and depths cover nearly the entire land and
floor area (including dens), and at least the minimum recommended size deep digging area
is provided. (Note: each enclosure below 240 m² (2,583.4 ft²) in size requires a different land
to water area ratio based on its specific size.) The other recommended natural furnishings,
such as large logs, bamboo stands ("man-made" or/and live growing), deep leaf piles etc.
should be provided (see Section 4 above). The aforementioned enclosure conditions are
esp. crucial when otters are exposed to new/unusual situations, such as when they are
being introduced to other animals or have just been moved to a new institution or
enclosure etc.. When indoor and/or outdoor enclosure land to water ratios offer smaller
land proportions than recommended or/and land/floor surfaces are not nearly entirely
covered with soft loose natural substrates (including appropriate types, qualities, and
depths) or provided with sufficient size deep digging areas as recommended, the following
can occur. The otters' ability to successfully adjust to the new situations, i.e. to other
animals, new enclosures etc., during introductions can be adversely affected or seriously
compromised. This is because the aforementioned inappropriate enclosure conditions can
cause abnormally elevated or excessive levels of stress and other negative responses (boredom,
nervousness, fear, frustration etc.) during such circumstances. See Section 3B above for how
enclosure quality can affect introduction success.
During introductions, the aforementioned essential enclosure requirements are necessary to
promote successful adjustment to the new/unusual situations (i.e. by significantly reducing
or counteracting stress and other negative responses that can easily/usually occur during such
situations), provide adequate enrichment and maintain health. Such conditions, in addition
to the other recommended natural furnishings, also provide enough land area and safe
furnishings to allow an otter to get away from the other animal, stay out of the other’s view, and
rest alone in semi-private places when it needs to take a break from the other otter or the
intensity of the situation. (Note: nestboxes must be closed during full-contact introductions to
avoid that otters do not trap each other within the box. If fights occur within the nestbox they
might be impossible to break up and otters may not be able to get away from each other.) It is
necessary that enclosures are as enriched as possible during introductions and all
new/unusual situations. Note: the recommended enclosure furnishings and designs
described in the paragraph above are the most important forms of environmental and
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