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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Section 16<br />
Companion Cubs <strong>and</strong> H<strong>and</strong>rearer / Cub Interactions<br />
Many questions exist on how human contact, contact or lack of contact with other otters during<br />
h<strong>and</strong>rearing, housing conditions, “hacking out” methods etc. may significantly affect success of<br />
both h<strong>and</strong>reared captive born <strong>and</strong> orphaned wild otters. For example, the ability of both types<br />
of individuals that are housed permanently in captivity or released in the wild, should be<br />
scientifically studied on a long-term basis to determine how successfully they pair with a mate,<br />
breed, <strong>and</strong> rear offspring. (See the last paragraph <strong>and</strong> Chapter 1 for a discussion of future<br />
problems of h<strong>and</strong>reared otters.)<br />
Ideally, h<strong>and</strong>reared cubs should be socialized with healthy conspecifics near their same<br />
age, as early in life as possible (Read <strong>and</strong> Meier 1996). “Interaction with other animals is<br />
vital.” <strong>Giant</strong> otters are highly social <strong>and</strong> live in family groups in the wild. Mated pairs bond for<br />
life <strong>and</strong> all family members (including sub-adult offspring) help to take care of the cubs. Each<br />
litter usually consists of more than one cub <strong>and</strong> cubs are dependent upon the other family<br />
members for care, socialization, learning life skills etc.. It is therefore ideal if more than one<br />
giant otter cub (i.e. siblings or healthy cubs near their same age) can be reared/housed together.<br />
This will help provide for their stimulation, enrichment, <strong>and</strong> mental, social, behavioral, <strong>and</strong><br />
physical development <strong>and</strong> health needs [i.e. socialization, companionship/contact, play<br />
interactions etc.] (Read <strong>and</strong> Meier 1996). Unfortunately, it is not always possible to h<strong>and</strong>rear<br />
giant otters together.<br />
Some h<strong>and</strong>reared carnivores may “…have difficulty fitting into a social group, exhibiting either<br />
excessive aggression or shyness. Animals raised without any carnivore contact may not fit in at<br />
all, preferring human contact to that of their own species.” (Read & Meier 1996). It also should<br />
be determined if there are “critical periods” for the social development of h<strong>and</strong>reared giant otter<br />
cubs. I.e. critical periods exist for the socialization of domestic dogs <strong>and</strong> therefore exotic<br />
species [such as giant otters], may also have a critical period (Read & Meier 1996).<br />
“Experiences, or lack of them, during these times may permanently affect the animal, resulting<br />
in abnormal adult behavior.” Additionally, cubs that are reared alone <strong>and</strong>/or not socialized early<br />
enough in life with conspecifics may not only be unable to interact normally with conspecifics,<br />
but they may even reject or kill them when introduction does occur. They may also be<br />
unsuccessful at breeding <strong>and</strong> rearing offspring.<br />
On the other h<strong>and</strong>, great caution must be taken as young giant otters, juveniles, sub-adults, or<br />
adults may fight with, injure or possibly, even kill unfamiliar young animals introduced to them.<br />
Unfortunately, reports of this do exist. Young otters have fought against other unfamiliar young<br />
otters <strong>and</strong> adults have fought against unfamiliar young animals <strong>and</strong> even familiar juveniles<br />
(Lazzarini pers. comm.; Kranz pers. comm.).<br />
Great caution <strong>and</strong> visual-acoustic-olfactory, before full physical contact, introductions<br />
must be used to introduce unfamiliar animals <strong>and</strong> temporarily separated animals. The<br />
introduction process must be monitored closely by those experienced with giant otters <strong>and</strong><br />
conducted gradually. Animals should never be left alone, unsupervised or unmonitored during<br />
the full contact introductions, with other young otters or older otters until they show continued<br />
positive interactions <strong>and</strong> it is clearly evident that they are getting along well. For example,<br />
some otters can show initial positive reactions during visual-acoustic-olfactory or/<strong>and</strong> full<br />
physical contact introductions, but afterwards they may fight with, injure, or even try to kill<br />
each other. See Chapter 2 for information on introduction methods.<br />
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