International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

4. Behaviors
In the following, a few behaviors, some basic, some more advanced will be explained:
Note: Training sessions should generally last approx. 5 to 10 minutes. If they are extended
beyond this time the otters can easily become bored or frustrated and this will negatively affect
the success of training.
Positive Relationship
First, the trainer must develop a positive relationship with the animal before training is begun.
Sometimes it can take a long period of time for otter’s to develop this relationship and sense of
trust with their trainers. Trainers need to use patience, intuition, common sense, gentleness, an
understanding of giant otter behavior (including vocalizations), and plenty of time. Trainers
should always spend time associating with the animals, i.e. in “relationship and/or play
sessions”, in addition to the training/husbandry procedure sessions and any other routine
husbandry care/servicing the trainer might carry out (i.e. feeding, cleaning, observations etc.). It
is essential that the animal does not just perceive that the trainer is there only to work with or
service/care for him/her. If this is the case, trainers may not be able to achieve the husbandry
procedure goals that they desire. Instead, the animal must have a truly positive bond with the
trainer that extends beyond just training/husbandry/servicing procedures. “Play sessions”
should be carried out in a protected contact or no/low contact manner if possible. “Relationship
sessions” should be conducted the same way if possible. Giant otters can be very dangerous
and unpredictable, even when the caretaker/trainer has had a long-term positive relationship
with the otter. (See more under Giant Otter Training at Dortmund Zoo.)
Introducing the Bridge
The introduction of the bridge is always one of the first steps in training an animal. To
familiarize the otter with a bridge signal, the bridge signal should be used just in the moment
before a reinforcer is given. The animal will learn to associate the food/reinforcer with the
bridge signal and this is how the animal learns what the bridge signal means.
Target Training
Otters are generally very curious. When a target is placed directly in front of them, it will
certainly attract their attention. Most mammals will target with their nose. Because otters like
to manipulate and hold objects, they will often touch/hold the target with their paws, as well as
make contact with their nose. Both targeting with the nose and paws is acceptable, although
otters should not be allowed to pull the target away from the trainer. The animal is bridged and
then rewarded as soon as it makes contact with the target (i.e. it must make contact at the
appropriate focal point of the target). Reinforcement has to be given fast and in small amounts.
Otters usually learn very fast that touching or sniffing the target will result in a food reward and
they are ready for the next step. The target is now placed further away from the animal so it has
to move towards the target. Again the animal is bridged and rewarded as soon as it touches the
target.
Target follow / Stationing
One of the early steps needed to train a stationing behavior is to first teach the animal to follow
the target. At first the target is moved a short distance when the animal tries to touch it. It
should not be moved too far, so the animal can still maintain the contact, but it should be far
enough that the animal has to move a little. This practice can be extended to greater distances
until the animal directly follows the target. The animal learns that it will be rewarded whenever
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