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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contact introduction, i.e. to stop serious fights etc.. The animals must not be left<br />
unsupervised or unmonitored during the full-contact introductions. Information about the<br />
introduction’s progression as well as the husb<strong>and</strong>ry <strong>and</strong> management methods used should be<br />
recorded during the entire introduction process. I.e. records should be maintained on the otters’<br />
behavior, length of the visual introduction period <strong>and</strong> each particular physical full-contact<br />
period, occurrence of injuries, enclosure conditions provided etc..<br />
Visual introductions/familiarization with introduction fences must be used before full<br />
contact is allowed (see the paragraph below). Experienced staff must closely observe <strong>and</strong><br />
monitor the otters’ behavior <strong>and</strong> use good common sense <strong>and</strong> intuition to judge at what pace the<br />
introductions should progress. The otters’ behavior will be the best indicator to determine<br />
what time is the safest to begin physical full-contact introductions, how long they should be<br />
<strong>and</strong> when to increase or decrease the full-contact introduction time allotments or stop<br />
them. The time otters are allowed to stay together in full-contact should be dependent on<br />
the level of tolerance, stress, tension, tiredness <strong>and</strong> aggressiveness that develops.<br />
Vocalizations, esp. the type, frequency <strong>and</strong> intensity of them, movements <strong>and</strong> position of the<br />
body, aggressive <strong>and</strong> defensive behaviors, tolerance/patience, interest levels in the other otter,<br />
submissiveness, dominance etc. should all be closely observed. <strong>Otter</strong>s have nine different<br />
vocalization types <strong>and</strong> many sub-categories exist for each type (Duplaix 1980). It is important<br />
that the observers are aware of what the different vocalizations mean. For example, humming<br />
which is a positive contact vocalization, is a positive sign. Although, when this sound is<br />
changed into a much lower tone, it means that the otters are irritated or upset by something, <strong>and</strong><br />
will carry out aggressive behaviors if the situation they are faced with continues or increases in<br />
intensity. As well, when otters hum excessively (i.e. hum for an abnormally long time or/<strong>and</strong><br />
unusually frequently) this is not necessarily a positive sign <strong>and</strong> these sounds can mean that the<br />
otters are stressed, nervous or anxious (Sykes-Gatz & Gatz pers. obs.). It has been observed that<br />
in captivity giant otters’ eyes can appear significantly more watery when they are under<br />
stress as opposed to when they are in typical/usual situations (theory posed by Schenck pers.<br />
comm. <strong>and</strong> observed by Sykes-Gatz & Gatz). Note: sometimes, their eyes become a little<br />
watery when they are under normal circumstances. When their eyes are watery they tear clear<br />
liquid. (Reaction to environmental factors should be considered as well if this is seen as a<br />
medical problem. E.g. it could be a reaction to chlorine or other chemicals in the water etc. If<br />
discharge is not clear <strong>and</strong> water-like, then it could also be a medical problem.) This species in<br />
captivity has been observed to have significant amounts of foamy saliva coming from the<br />
mouth when they are exceedingly anxious, excited, nervous, or stressed (Sykes-Gatz <strong>and</strong> Gatz,<br />
pers obs.).<br />
After both otters show continued positive reactions during the visual-acoustic-olfactory<br />
contacts, full tactile contact should be attempted. It is important that throughout the<br />
entire introduction process otters have visual introduction. When otters can not see, smell<br />
<strong>and</strong> hear each other this may likely cause a set-back in the introduction process. Also, some<br />
animals may take an immediate interest in the other <strong>and</strong> some may take a little while before they<br />
show interest. Both animals should show continued positive interest in each other before fullcontact<br />
is offered. If one otter shows a lot of/normal interest in the other <strong>and</strong> the other does not,<br />
problems could occur if a full-contact introduction was initiated. Visual introductions have<br />
been carried out for approx. one, two, four, <strong>and</strong> six weeks long <strong>and</strong> longer before full-contact<br />
introductions were allowed to take place. In several cases, total introduction time (including<br />
visual-acoustic-olfactory <strong>and</strong> full-contact introductions) has taken approx. one, two, five, <strong>and</strong><br />
eight weeks long to be successfully accomplished.<br />
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