International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

the fence, so that we can ask Katja to perform other husbandry behaviors to provide a
stimulating variety during a training or husbandry behavior session.
Kerbe, a 16 ½ year old male giant otter, has been trained in a completely different way. Kerbe
arrived at Dortmund in July 1999. He was thought to be a possible new partner for Katja, as he
was less closely related and the only other available male at that time. Unfortunately, 8 months
after he was introduced to Katja, he had to be separated again as Katja was overly domineering,
to an unhealthy degree. There was and is no other animal available to pair him with, so he is
living alone, but in visual contact with Kuddel and Katja.
As Kerbe is held alone, it is easier to work with him, without the jealousy factor. During a long
and careful desensitization process, Kerbe learned to trust his keepers. He always loved to sleep
on top of a cardboard box and this box (a new box every day, as he also loves to destroy them!)
was placed directly at the lattice of his feeding den. He slowly accepted to be touched through
the lattice while he was on the box. After a while, he was already expecting to be touched and
by now, he is often eagerly waiting for his frequent massages. He developed a very calm and
friendly nature because of all of the attention his trainers gave him. This enabled us to go a step
further. Several behaviors were trained by using body massages and/or extended personal
interaction as reinforcers. Physical contact and human vocal reinforcement served as the only
reward for Kerbe. (Food is never used as a reward for any of the training or husbandry
procedure sessions with Kerbe.)
With this and all types of training, it is of utmost importance that the trainers have continued
positive interactions, i.e. “relationship/play sessions”, with the otters involved, not only just
during training, husbandry procedures, and routine husbandry care and servicing, but also on a
regular basis in between the aforementioned events. It is essential that the animal does not just
perceive that the trainer is there only to work with or service/care for (i.e. feed, clean, observe
etc.) 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. Giant otters are intelligent and
sensitive enough to realize the difference between a trainer who only wants results from the
otter and a trainer who has developed a healthy report with the animal that he/she works. For
example, after just a one month vacation, the trainer returned to perform a training procedure on
Kerbe after one long “relationship session” was carried out with him. Kerbe refused to perform
during training or husbandry procedures, until after a few days, during which a few long
“relationship sessions” were carried out. “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.
With Kerbe, it was possible for the first time to examine the body temperature, resting heart and
respiration rates on a giant otter not under anesthesia. As well, nearly his total body, including
his feet (toe pads & webbing), legs, tail abdomen, back, chest, neck, under his throat, top of his
head and the outside of his ears) can also be examined by hand palpation. Kerbe has also has
been trained to receive portable ultrasound exams and initial ultrasound sessions have already
begun. Although no ultrasound pictures have been actually taken, because Kerbe’s fur was not
wet enough during the session. We will continue these sessions although.
No rectal body temperature of healthy giant otters (neither cubs nor adults) that are not under
anesthesia or immobilization have been found or been reported. Kerbe was trained to allow
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