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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greater problems. I.e. the ability of giant otters to successfully rear cubs <strong>and</strong> adjust to<br />
new/unusual situations has been adversely affected or seriously compromised. (Increased<br />
negative responses, resulting from the new/unusual or cub-rearing situation, can occur alone or<br />
in addition to any already existing mental <strong>and</strong> behavioral health problems that have been caused<br />
by inappropriate enclosure conditions.)<br />
For example, stress to giant otter parents rearing cubs has been responsible for many litter<br />
losses. Stress, most especially results from human disturbances <strong>and</strong> presence during cubrearing,<br />
although inadequate enclosure conditions (as described) can increase stress caused from<br />
these sources <strong>and</strong>/or in itself create additional new stresses during cub-rearing. E.g. bored or<br />
stressed parents or older siblings can excessively focus on, h<strong>and</strong>le, play with, abuse, or kill cubs<br />
or be responsible indirectly or directly for the cubs' death, as a result of having nothing else<br />
better to focus their attentions on. Additionally, sometimes during cub-rearing giant otters may<br />
have to be held in indoor enclosures (e.g. during cold weather or to offer privacy) <strong>and</strong> locked<br />
out of their adjoining outdoor enclosures. It is very important that these generally smaller<br />
indoor enclosures are properly furnished <strong>and</strong> designed to counteract the frustration, boredom,<br />
etc. that otters, who normally have year-around outdoor access can likely experience. This is<br />
also crucial in all small enclosures [i.e. enclosures below 240 m² (2,583.4 ft²)] such as<br />
temporary holding areas, quarantine, or any enclosure, whether permanent or temporary. When<br />
animals are moved to new enclosures or held in quarantine or temporary holding areas fear,<br />
stress, boredom, <strong>and</strong> nervousness can be significantly reduced with just the appropriate<br />
provisions aforementioned. Without such provisions, negative responses can increase, so that<br />
the ability to successfully adjust to these new situations can be adversely affected or seriously<br />
compromised <strong>and</strong> future healthy normal behavior (if the enclosure is a permanent/long-term<br />
home) will not be possible in such conditions.<br />
During introductions of unfamiliar animals <strong>and</strong> temporarily separated familiar otters, animals<br />
need to take frequent breaks from the intensity <strong>and</strong> tension (<strong>and</strong> possibly fear) of the new<br />
situation by having stimulating enclosures to focus their activities <strong>and</strong> attentions on. They also<br />
need to refocus their attention on something else other than solely each other. (It is important to<br />
remember that in addition to the otters having to adjust to each other, they also have to adjust to<br />
a new enclosure, husb<strong>and</strong>ry practices, keepers, etc. when they are moved from other locations<br />
<strong>and</strong> this can cause additional stress. Also when otters are held in very small temporary holding<br />
enclosures, such as in quarantine or separable enclosure areas (during visual introductions), this<br />
may likely cause additional stress.) It is especially important that they have adequately furnished<br />
<strong>and</strong> sufficient l<strong>and</strong> area to focus on to relieve their stress etc. <strong>and</strong> focus on something else other<br />
than the other otter. They also need sufficient l<strong>and</strong> area to get away from each other <strong>and</strong> rest<br />
alone. Focusing solely on each other <strong>and</strong>/or abnormally elevated or excessive negative<br />
responses can cause introduction difficulties. It can result in serious fights <strong>and</strong> injuries. (See<br />
below.) The other natural furnishings as recommended (see Chapter 2 Section 4), in addition to<br />
the aforementioned essential enclosure conditions, helps further to reduce stress, boredom etc. in<br />
all situations. Natural furnishings, such as plentiful large logs, bamboo st<strong>and</strong>s (both live<br />
growing <strong>and</strong>/or "man-made"), etc. <strong>and</strong> the aforementioned essential enclosure conditions will<br />
also provide the following: enough l<strong>and</strong> area <strong>and</strong> safe furnishings to allow an otter to get away<br />
from the other animal, stay out of the other’s view, <strong>and</strong> rest alone in semi-private places when it<br />
needs to take a break from the other otter or the intensity of the situation. (Note: nestboxes must<br />
be closed during physical full-contact introductions.)<br />
Substrates, deep digging areas, <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios (i.e. enough l<strong>and</strong> area) as recommended<br />
are the most important husb<strong>and</strong>ry provisions needed to prevent mental <strong>and</strong> behavioral health<br />
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