International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

Chapter 3
Husbandry Training: For Better Management
& Attaining Valuable Information
By: Volker Gatz and Sheila Sykes-Gatz
1. Introduction
Husbandry training, through operant conditioning, should be carried out to help better manage
giant otters in captivity (e.g. for health, transport, rearing of offspring etc.) and increase
knowledge. Chapter 1 Section 4 explains why giant otters should be trained, which zoos have
carried out this practice and what was trained, as well as why training was carried out at
Dortmund Zoo.
A detailed report about the husbandry training program at Dortmund Zoo can be found after the
following introduction to operant conditioning training methods. Training started at Dortmund
Zoo in 1996 and it is continuing. It has been/is being carried out by one or both of the authors
of this Chapter.
2. Training Method Overview
Operant conditioning training requires extensive knowledge about the appropriate methods and
very careful planning. This article is just meant as a short overview and help for orientation, not
a fixed guideline on how to train giant otters.
It is very important to point out that a positive relationship between animal and trainer has to be
established and maintained. It is necessary to lead the otter through a behavior in small gradual
steps and a lot of patience is required. Each animal may not respond in the same manner to the
same reward; therefore, the trainer must learn which rewards are appropriate for each individual
animal.
It is also most important to be consistent when using operant conditioning techniques. Only
positive reinforcement is used, never punishment.
If a behavior is done incorrectly, the trainer simply does nothing. The training is paused for a
few seconds, this "time out" is also referred to as the "least reinforcing stimulus".
It has to be considered that it may take months or even years to train a specific behavior.
Training sessions can vary in length from a few minutes or longer and husbandry procedures via
training (e.g. ultrasounds) can last up to a ½ hour or more, depending on the interest of the otter.
3. Training Basics
Target
A target is usually described as an extension of the arm that acts as a focal point. A target
directs an animal toward a position or direction. It is important that the animal only
focuses/touches the end of the target. The animal should not be rewarded if it touches any other
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