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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maturity (i.e. at 2 years old), they then could be mated with non-related individuals to form a<br />
breeding pair. Although, because the situation of giant otters in captivity is so critical, cubrearing<br />
success has been so poor, there are very limited experiences with these matters, <strong>and</strong><br />
many zoos do not have ideal situations, little chance should be taken for experimentation.<br />
Research should continue on how cub-rearing <strong>and</strong> breeding success are effected by the<br />
following factors. All of the factors below must be considered for appropriate conclusions to be<br />
drawn. E.g. when cubs are reared to independence in inappropriate enclosure conditions, this<br />
does not validate that the enclosure conditions were appropriate or responsible, either in part or<br />
entirely, for the success. All factors must be accounted for to correctly explain this outcome.<br />
Cub rearing success can be effected by the quality, furnishings, design, <strong>and</strong> size of indoor <strong>and</strong><br />
outdoor enclosures, the extent of isolation/privacy from human disturbances <strong>and</strong> presence<br />
available, husb<strong>and</strong>ry <strong>and</strong> management practices, <strong>and</strong> the duration, intensity, frequency, <strong>and</strong><br />
familiarity of the disturbance (see below). It also can be effected by stress (esp. caused by<br />
human disturbances <strong>and</strong>/or inappropriate enclosure conditions), parental <strong>and</strong> sibling cub neglect<br />
<strong>and</strong> abuse (i.e. resulting from the stress), individual otter personality <strong>and</strong> history (e.g. physical<br />
<strong>and</strong> behavioral health problems), the degree of experience that each parent <strong>and</strong> if present, older<br />
offspring has with rearing cubs, <strong>and</strong> family social structure (i.e. the age of any older offspring<br />
present at the time of the new litter birth, whether the sire is present etc.). Inbreeding, physical,<br />
behavioral, <strong>and</strong> pair compatibility problems should be considered for repeated breeding or<br />
rearing failure, providing appropriate husb<strong>and</strong>ry <strong>and</strong> management is used during cub-rearing<br />
<strong>and</strong> at all other times. If siblings from the same litter were reared <strong>and</strong> reached sexual maturity<br />
together or if unrelated giant otters were reared together or introduced well before they reached<br />
sexual maturity, <strong>and</strong> they reached sexual maturity together, these factors should be evaluated for<br />
how they affect breeding success. Note: enclosure conditions that can affect cub-rearing<br />
success include: the appropriateness of l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios, l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> floor substrates, deep<br />
digging area sizes, other l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> water area designs <strong>and</strong> locations, enclosure size, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
designs <strong>and</strong> locations of dens, nestboxes, areas/hillsides for natural underground dens, animal<br />
shift doors, <strong>and</strong> keeper doors. They also include whether natural otter dug underground dens<br />
<strong>and</strong>/or expansive enclosures are available <strong>and</strong> the amount of enrichment <strong>and</strong> privacy designs<br />
available within an enclosure. The husb<strong>and</strong>ry practices that can affect cub-rearing success<br />
include: how well enclosures <strong>and</strong> nestbox, den, <strong>and</strong> natural underground den areas are isolated<br />
from human disturbances <strong>and</strong> presence, how well caretakers limit <strong>and</strong> minimize their activities<br />
<strong>and</strong> carry them out so that they do not disturb otters, if the otters are familiar <strong>and</strong> comfortable<br />
with their caretakers, <strong>and</strong> if parental care <strong>and</strong> cub development, behavior, <strong>and</strong> health is<br />
monitored in a way that does not cause disturbance to the otters. (See Chapter 2 for more<br />
information on these issues.) Also litter births that are not detected, but they are suspected, false<br />
pregnancies, <strong>and</strong> estrus cycles should also be closely monitored <strong>and</strong> evaluated. (Section 4<br />
below lists other reproductive characteristics that should be recorded <strong>and</strong> studied.)<br />
Detailed records on the aforementioned issues should be recorded, studied, <strong>and</strong> openly shared<br />
by every institution holding a potential breeding or breeding pair, unfortunately they are often<br />
not. These records should be compiled <strong>and</strong> scientifically studied so that husb<strong>and</strong>ry <strong>and</strong><br />
management recommendations can be further updated <strong>and</strong> exp<strong>and</strong>ed upon. The international<br />
studbook is needed to help encourage all holding institutions to achieve these goals.<br />
Observations of wild giant otters in Peru:<br />
“Only half of the cubs survived the first year: Out of 31 cubs that were identified<br />
by their throat pattern, 16 (51.6 %) disappeared during their first year of life.<br />
Because of their dependence to the mother [i.e. for nursing] <strong>and</strong> the fact that only<br />
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