International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

problems and abnormalities and to improve and maintain otter health and normality if such
problems have developed. This type of husbandry practice alone can help otters that have
developed problems, because of continual exposure to inappropriate enclosure conditions, to
return to a very significantly improved or completely healthy state. Giant otters have recovered
from even the most severe unhealthy behaviors (see those listed on the page before under
stereotypical behaviors, very dulled/lack of alertness, attentiveness, and curiosity etc.) in this
way. As well, those recovered animals, who encountered new/unusual situations after their
rehabilitation, had the ability to successfully adjust to these situations without abnormally
elevated or excessive levels of negative responses as they had shown before recovery. They
exhibited the behaviors that a behaviorally healthy otter would display during such a situation
when housed in appropriate conditions. Such furnishings and designs as aforementioned are
necessary to promote successful cub-rearing and adjustment to new/unusual situations and
maintain behavioral/mental health and normality in typical daily circumstances. Visitors,
viewing otters carrying out their behaviors in a healthy normal manner, will also be provided
with an enjoyable and educational experience. The other recommended land and water area
locations and designs and locations for nestboxes, dens and areas for natural underground dens
should be provided as they also affect the quality and appropriateness of the enclosure land
(including sleeping areas) and how effectively the land can be used. The other recommended
natural furnishings, such as bamboo stands ("man-made" or/and live growing), large logs, leaf
piles etc. should be provided as well. See Chapter 2 Sections 1-2 and 4-5 for necessary land
area designs, locations, and furnishings.
Giant otters that have not had exposure to appropriate enclosure conditions during their entire
lives or developmental stages, or for a long period, may take some time to “adjust to
activating/using” their innate terrestrial behaviors after appropriate environments are offered.
They then can carry these activities out to a full or at least moderate degree of normality and
healthiness, as compared to an otter that has had proper exposure throughout its lifetime. I.e.
after recovery grooming, digging, playing, and exercising on land are carried out with a
moderate degree of frequency, duration, and intensity. Totally healthy otters although, carry
these activities out with a high degree of each. The recovered otters although have significantly
improved, as without the recommended conditions these activities are not carried out at all or are
carried out only to a minimal degree. The amount of time a recovered otter spends on land as
opposed to in the water will also increase accordingly, most esp. because goal-oriented behaviors
are carried out on land more frequently and for a longer duration. These otters will spend
significantly more time on land than an otter without the recommended circumstances that may
spend most of its day in the water. These “rehabilitated” otters will although use the entire
expanse of their land area to carry these terrestrial behaviors out. This represents a full recovery
as compared to a healthy otter. Because otters may not recover to 100% health and normality,
these behaviors should not be considered normal, but rather an animal that is displaying a very
significant improvement in mental and behavioral health. Because a very significant, rather than
full, recovery may occur this should not be considered as a reason to not provide the necessary
furnishings and designs.
Conclusions
In most cases, whether the enclosure is already in use or it is being designed, simple solutions to
the aforementioned problems exist. It is only necessary to correct the conditions that are
responsible for causing their abnormalities and unhealthiness and no other techniques or
husbandry methods are needed. The provisions needed for resolution, i.e. the changes and
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