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