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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part of the target. The target we use at Dortmund Zoo is a long stick with a yellow wooden ball<br />
on one end, or – for small fence openings – a long stick with yellow duct tape on one end (i.e.<br />
the color <strong>and</strong> shape of the end of the target makes it easy to focus on). We use both targets<br />
simultaneously as well as independently. The target can be used to lead an animal through<br />
small steps of a behavior.<br />
Bridge<br />
A bridge stimulus, such as blowing a whistle or simply the word “good”, is an immediate signal<br />
to let the otter know that a behavior is done correctly. The bridge is paired with a reinforcer or<br />
reward, which is anything that increases the frequency of the behavior. In the otters’ case, it’s<br />
usually food or a favorite toy - something that the animal enjoys <strong>and</strong> looks forward to get. The<br />
bridge becomes connected with the reward <strong>and</strong> the animal learns to perform the behavior in<br />
order to get this reward. It is important that an animal knows immediately when it has<br />
performed correctly. A delay of even a few seconds may cause significant problems. The<br />
animal learns that when it hears the bridge it can return to the trainer to receive a reward.<br />
Reward / Reinforcer<br />
The most common reinforcement or reward is food. The giant otters at Dortmund Zoo favor<br />
mackerel, but it is not part of their regular diet as it is considered to be too fatty <strong>and</strong> not good for<br />
the health if it is fed as the main diet, too frequently etc.. Otherwise, in small amounts <strong>and</strong><br />
small pieces, it is a great reinforcer during a training session. We have also found at Dortmund<br />
Zoo that mackerel is easy to use because it is firm <strong>and</strong> does not fall apart easily. In the case of<br />
one otter, only vocal <strong>and</strong> tactile reinforcements such as deep massages are used.<br />
Desensitization<br />
Every new <strong>and</strong> unfamiliar object or behavior that we expect the animal to perform has the<br />
potential to be very scary. Every novel item or behavior must be introduced very carefully.<br />
During the training, trainers have to guide the animal in small steps. After several successful<br />
repetitions, trainers can move on to the next step. Unfamiliar objects should be introduced<br />
slowly <strong>and</strong> gently so as not to scare the animal <strong>and</strong> to make the animal feel comfortable around<br />
the object. As well, the presence of unfamiliar or excess familiar persons during a training or<br />
husb<strong>and</strong>ry procedure can also distract or scare the animal. Once the behavior is trained (or even<br />
during late training if tolerated) additional familiar persons <strong>and</strong> eventually unfamiliar persons<br />
can be introduced during training sessions to help desensitize the animals to these factors. For<br />
example, during crate training or ultrasound training other zoo staff will need to be present<br />
when these procedures are actually carried out, so otters should be given time to adjust to these<br />
changes/distractions/potentially frightening events during training. As well, when vets must<br />
perform ultrasounds, it is most helpful if they have a chance to develop a positive relationship<br />
with the otters before or at least during/after training is carried out.<br />
Training Frame, Dummy Portable Ultrasound & Scale Frame Used at Dortmund Zoo,<br />
Beam Scale used at Philadelphia Zoo; Temporary Transport Crates Used at Dortmund &<br />
Philadelphia Zoos<br />
A wooden frame with a step was developed at Dortmund Zoo to meet the special requirements<br />
of giant otter husb<strong>and</strong>ry training. The frame <strong>and</strong> its step can be placed low in the fence lattice to<br />
enable the otter to st<strong>and</strong> comfortably right next to the lattice. The otter is trained to station,<br />
while it is st<strong>and</strong>ing on the step of the frame. Most of the otter’s body becomes easily reachable<br />
with the frame, enabling us to perform body examinations, ultrasounds, or milk sampling. See<br />
more details about the training frame construction under “<strong>Giant</strong> <strong>Otter</strong> Training at Dortmund<br />
Zoo”.<br />
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