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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It is very important that giant otter milk composition be analyzed to determine which milk<br />
replacer formulas are best for this species. The specific composition of giant otter milk (i.e.<br />
percentages / types of fat, protein, lactose, etc.) is either unknown or unreported. The<br />
nutritional content of giant otter mother’s milk needs to be studied for comparison to the variety<br />
of milk replacers available/used for this species. This information could then be used to<br />
formulate <strong>and</strong>/or recommend types or br<strong>and</strong>s of milk replacers that are most optimal to rear<br />
giant otters specifically. [Note: Although, staff at Dortmund Zoo (Germany) have trained a<br />
giant otter to allow milk samples to be drawn after litter loss. Unfortunately, the only sample<br />
drawn was lost due to technical reasons, but further study <strong>and</strong> training will be continued. It is<br />
important that other captive females, world-wide, be trained to allow similar procedures (only<br />
after litter loss) to gather additional vital information for study <strong>and</strong> comparison. See Chapter 1.]<br />
The research on formulas currently used for giant otters should be exp<strong>and</strong>ed <strong>and</strong> studied in more<br />
detail. For example, studies should be conducted to determine if the formulas currently used<br />
have been successful on every h<strong>and</strong>reared cub <strong>and</strong> to what degree are the cub’s total nutritional<br />
needs met with these formulas. The existence of lactose intolerance should be studied, as well<br />
as, if or when vitamin, mineral, oil, rice cereal supplements are necessary etc.. Concerning an<br />
effective milk replacer for giant otter cubs less than approx. one month old, either no<br />
information is reported, or formula fairly tried <strong>and</strong> found successful. It is as well, most<br />
important to develop/find formulas that could be used successfully in these cases, <strong>and</strong>/or if a<br />
successful formula is already known but not reported, h<strong>and</strong>rearers are encouraged to share this<br />
vital information with the professional community.<br />
River otter milk composition for the species Lontra/Lutra canadensis has been studied. Pet-Ag,<br />
Inc. (manufacturer of artificial milk replacers for pet, zoo, <strong>and</strong> wild animals) <strong>and</strong> h<strong>and</strong>rearers<br />
alike have used this information, combined with successful experiences, to formulate <strong>and</strong>/or<br />
recommend specific br<strong>and</strong>s of commercially prepared milk replacers that are best for rearing<br />
river otter species. Esbilac TM is produced by Pet-Ag, Inc. (see additional information below) <strong>and</strong><br />
it is recommended for use with river otters. “The formula of choice amongst those who have<br />
h<strong>and</strong>reared mustelids is Esbilac.…Esbilac seems to be close enough in composition to mustelid<br />
milk to adequately raise any infant.” (Burnette 1994).<br />
It is commonly recommended <strong>and</strong> emphasized that milk replacer formulas used for human<br />
babies (commercially prepared or otherwise <strong>and</strong> usually derived from cow’s milk) <strong>and</strong>/or cow’s<br />
milk (for human consumption, fresh, powdered, evaporated etc.) should not be used to raise<br />
river otter cubs. The reasoning is they do not contain the appropriate nutrient composition <strong>and</strong><br />
ingredients (i.e. those that are similar to mother’s milk). For example, their fat content, which is<br />
the major source of energy for neonates, is too low or it may be an inappropriate type etc..<br />
These formulas therefore may not be satisfactory to rear cubs (Kirk 1994; Cain-Stage 1992/93<br />
citing Evans 1986). Although however, 5 of the 6 h<strong>and</strong>rearers/institutions known, successfully<br />
rear/reared giant otter cubs, with either a commercial milk replacer for human babies or cow’s<br />
milk (for human consumption) (Sykes-Gatz unpublished report). The 6 th h<strong>and</strong>rearer<br />
successfully used goat’s milk. These cubs ranged in age from approximately one month old <strong>and</strong><br />
older. [Note: The multiple h<strong>and</strong>rearing experiences at Dortmund Zoo are not included in these<br />
statistics. Inherited thyroid malfunctions due to severe inbreeding were likely to have prevented<br />
the survival of all of the h<strong>and</strong>reared (<strong>and</strong> parent-reared) cubs born at this zoo. See below.]<br />
Other river otter species, especially in areas where commercially prepared formulas were not<br />
available, have also been successfully reared on cow’s milk (homogenized whole milk or<br />
diluted evaporated milk) <strong>and</strong> buffalo milk, <strong>and</strong> goats milk has been used to rear mustelids as<br />
well (Burnette 1994). Some h<strong>and</strong>rearers have recommended goat’s milk for river otter cubs<br />
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