International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

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Killed rabies vaccinations are given at 4 months of age and must be repeated annually (Petrini et al 2001). Killed parvovirus and distemper vaccinations are given at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age and boosters are given annually thereafter (Petrini et al 2001).] The compiler/author of this manual has found no scientific research on the safety, efficacy, and duration of immunity of any vaccines used on giant otters specifically, although this is true with many vaccinated exotic species. As well, only a few zoos have reported vaccinating their giant otters, so experience is not widespread [see below]. Controversy continues over whether to vaccinate otters with killed or modified live distemper vaccines. To avoid the possibility of vaccine-induced disease, killed virus distemper vaccines are preferable over modified live virus distemper vaccines (Merck 1986; Wünnemann 1995; Lewis 1995; Read & Meier 1996; Moore 1997). Modified live distemper vaccines have caused vaccine-induced distemper in a “variety of mustelids” (Petrini et al 2001; Hinshaw et al 1996; Lewis 1995). Killed distemper vaccines will not cause vaccine-induced distemper, although they may not “stimulate a strong protective immune response”, “have not provided long-lived protection”, and are not available in many countries. “There is marked variation between species and individuals in their reaction to MLV [modified live virus] vaccines.” (Merck 1986). There are some commercial varieties and strains of MLV distemper vaccines that should be entirely avoided and a few that are considered/found more safe for some otter species (Lewis 1995; Petrini et al 2001; see Hagenbecks Tierpark below for giant otters specifically). For example, “Live vaccines of canine or mink cell culture origin should be avoided as these are capable of producing clinical disease in vaccinated mustelids. Non-Onderstepoort strain MLVs of chicken embryo tissue culture origin should also be avoided for the same reason.” (Lewis 1995). “Ferret-virulent-MLV vaccines are poorly attenuated and therefore contraindicated for use in any nondomestic carnivores.” (Merck 1986). In addition to the usual great cautions needed when vaccinating exotic, previously unvaccinated, and young animals, “…caution is advised in vaccinating wild-caught animals because of the possibility that they may have been exposed to the virus and be incubating the disease.” (Merck 1986). This can be especially critical for handreared orphaned wild giant otter cubs. A veterinarian must carefully evaluate the risk of vaccine-induced distemper versus the actual chances of contracting distemper. The compiler/author has found no reports of captive or orphaned handreared wild giant otters with distemper. Of 10 zoos / institutions surveyed (Sykes 1997-99) who hold / held giant otters in South America, only one reported giving vaccinations of any kind (distemper vaccination - not specified whether live or killed - given to one 18 month old otter held in Trinidad). In early 2000 although, reports indicated that at least one or more giant otters might have been vaccinated for leptospirosis at Brasilia Zoo (Pimentel pers. comm.). Only two [Hagenbeck Tierpark and Dortmund Zoo] of the five zoos outside of South America who hold / held giant otters reported giving any vaccinations (see below). No killed distemper vaccine was available within South America and at least two institutions there reported they did not vaccinate with modified live distemper for fear of vaccine-induced distemper. Philadelphia Zoo (U.S.) reported they did not vaccinate their adult giant otters (that were acquired from and previously vaccinated at Hagenbecks Tierpark) because a killed distemper vaccine was unavailable in the U.S.. The surveyor found one zoo that vaccinated with modified live distemper vaccine, although this was on limited occasions and only after otters were vaccinated with initial killed distemper vaccines (i.e. only after at least the initial 3 killed distemper vaccinations were completed). (See Hagenbecks Tierpark Vaccination Schedule.) Vaccinations have been administered by small blowpipe darts when the otter is confined in a den or by hand syringe while the otter (a cub) is physically restrained (Dortmund Zoo, Osmann, pers. comm.). 40
Hagenbecks Tierpark Giant Otter Vaccination Schedule (Flügger 1997; Hagenbeck 1994, pers. comm.) 8 weeks old: Killed canine distemper vaccine (Behring-Werke) Killed canine parvovirus vaccine (Candur P; Hoechst AG) Killed leptospirosis vaccine (Candur L; Hoechst AG) Baypamun HK (Company name; stimulates the immune system) 12 weeks old: Killed canine distemper vaccine Killed canine parvovirus vaccine (Candur P) Killed leptospirosis vaccine (Candur L) Baypamun HK *24 weeks old: Killed canine distemper vaccine 1 year old and annually thereafter: Killed canine parvovirus vaccine (Candur P) Killed leptospirosis vaccine (Candur L) **Killed canine distemper ***or on limited occasions modified-live canine distemper vaccine (no company name or other information given). ****OR on at least one otter Candur P and Candur SHL (Hoechst AG) *Varies with other killed parvovirus and distemper vaccination schedules for mustelids (see above). **To avoid the risk of vaccine-induced distemper the otters were given only killed distemper virus vaccines. ***On limited occasions, the otters were vaccinated with a modified-live distemper vaccine to strengthen their immunity, but only after 3 killed distemper vaccines were first given (Flügger 1997). ****The combination of Candur P and Candur SHL (Hoechst AG) [see below] vaccines were used on at least one otter (annually on 2 successive years), but only after 3 killed distemper vaccines were first given (Hagenbeck 1994, pers. comm.). Product information (12/1995) reported Candur SHL (Hoechst AG, Frankfurt a. M.) as: S = Modified-live canine distemper of dog kidney cell cultures multiplied distemper virus (Stamm Rockborn); H = Killed canine hepatitis of dog kidney cell cultures; L = Killed leptospirosis (L. canicola and L. icterohaemorrhagiae); and aluminum hydroxide. Indicated for use in dogs. (Institut fuer Veterinaerpharmakologie und –toxikologie; 2001). Dortmund Zoo Giant Otter Vaccination Schedule (Osmann, pers. comm. 2001) 8 weeks old: Killed canine distemper vaccine (Behring-Werke) Killed canine parvovirus vaccine (Candur P; Hoechst Roussel Vet AG) 41
Page 1 and 2: International Giant Otter Studbook
Page 3 and 4: Dear reader, With this, the second
Page 5 and 6: Section 2 Introduction to Substrate
Page 7 and 8: Parental Behavior Overview.........
Page 9 and 10: Introduction This manual is a secon
Page 11 and 12: Contributing Institutions/Individua
Page 13 and 14: Dortmund Zoo: Current Director: Dr.
Page 15 and 16: Giant Otter Characteristics (The fo
Page 17 and 18: Chapter 1 Husbandry and Management
Page 19 and 20: informal international network has
Page 21 and 22: are only released into the wild, th
Page 23 and 24: malfunctions, due to severe inbreed
Page 25 and 26: maturity (i.e. at 2 years old), the
Page 27 and 28: emaining 3 institutions bred otters
Page 29 and 30: elow 240 m² (2,583.4 ft²) in size
Page 31 and 32: difficulties/abnormalities to a mod
Page 33 and 34: are to the water, but it is also de
Page 35 and 36: deep digging areas as recommended,
Page 37 and 38: greater problems. I.e. the ability
Page 39 and 40: additions that can be made to enclo
Page 41: (esp. around approx. 10 to 11 years
Page 45 and 46: Dietary Related Problems: Diarrhea
Page 47 and 48: times over 10 years) then disappear
Page 49 and 50: Thyroid Malfunctions: see Chapter 1
Page 51 and 52: unpublished report 1997). His hind
Page 53 and 54: vitamin B 1 tablet and one 400 IU v
Page 55 and 56: otters were exposed to in their enc
Page 57 and 58: animal, e.g. for serious/life threa
Page 59 and 60: conditions/problems can be identifi
Page 61 and 62: that the otters are very familiar a
Page 63 and 64: Section 5 Handrearing Captive-Born
Page 65 and 66: Chapter 5 for how to measure, Chapt
Page 67 and 68: proper authorities (i.e. park offic
Page 69 and 70: oth cubs were adopted by a wild ott
Page 71 and 72: Chapter 2: Husbandry and Management
Page 73 and 74: The following conditions (i.e. Numb
Page 75 and 76: The provision of the conditions lis
Page 77 and 78: proportionately increased and the w
Page 79 and 80: does not offer the same advantages
Page 81 and 82: *Note: Duplaix’s guidelines for o
Page 83 and 84: dry easily, drain well, and be resi
Page 85 and 86: It is necessary that every indoor a
Page 87 and 88: Deep Digging Area Necessary For Eac
Page 89 and 90: play, exercise etc. on. Note: when
Page 91 and 92: Cleaning Procedures for Substrates
Page 93 and 94:
[4”] in width, could be placed 10
Page 95 and 96:
The aforementioned problems are cau
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difficulties/abnormalities involvin
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they could cause similar walking di
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It is not uncommon that pink foot/t
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No additional or detailed informati
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provided as recommended, so that ot
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housed. It also may be that the lon
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or high humidity, esp. extended per
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dry areas in enclosures should also
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These husbandry provisions produce
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underground den building which is a
Page 117 and 118:
more unsuitable the enclosure land
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unfamiliar and temporarily separate
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exposed to similar situations as ju
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inappropriate the enclosure conditi
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study. They also have been successf
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furnishings will also remain drier
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Live growing bamboo springs back up
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Section 5 Locations and Designs for
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all substrates) with/without vegeta
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indoors. Otters can also use each c
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Enclosures between 240 m² to 600 m
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other than substrates, and toys fro
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to help prevent water filtration/dr
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Section 10B discusses the locations
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areas may be sufficient when otters
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their normal daily terrestrial acti
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described below and in Section 12 b
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hear, that even familiar keepers ar
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nervous in behavior even during nor
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expansive enclosures are available
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the husbandry practices recommended
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keep cubs from crawling out (Duplai
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Chapter 1 for studies that should b
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practices and enclosure designs all
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care for the cubs (Schenck & Schenc
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was moved to another enclosure (Gat
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Inbreeding, physical, behavioral, a
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underground dens in this expansive
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Section 12 Natural Underground Dens
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22.34 ft] (11 sites) ; Kabo creek (
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Section 13 Den Construction “Den
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should not be introduced with physi
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door) could instead be made in the
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Section 15 Toys & Methods for Addit
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Although once items such as cardboa
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e designed or modified with these c
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Section 18 Introducing Unfamiliar &
Page 191 and 192:
have been housed together and then
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contact introduction, i.e. to stop
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Section 19 Diet and Feeding Only go
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Cuiaba Zoo in Brazil (Marcato de Ol
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are consumed in varying amounts acc
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Captive giant otters have been obse
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part of the target. The target we u
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to secure the guillotine door with
Page 207 and 208:
it stays close to the target. This
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these births may go undetected. Ult
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those working with her, from being
Page 213 and 214:
ody temperatures to be taken, when
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abnormally frequent or excessive, i
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with a male (other than growing up
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of course, because information rega
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seen entering the shelter alone, bu
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At Hagenbeck Tierpark, Wünnemann (
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52.5 cm [20.6"]. It is assumed that
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cub weight growth curve in Graph 2
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contain glucose rather than sucrose
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and frequency after each toileting/
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Section 4 Toileting: To produce eli
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when no other better formula is ava
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prepared artificial milk replacers
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avoid dietary problems and help cub
Page 241 and 242:
formula is accomplished. When cubs
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suggested above. The same feeding f
Page 245 and 246:
successfully can often be difficult
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should then be allowed to lick the
Page 249 and 250:
The general guideline that food/for
Page 251 and 252:
very gently dipped in the bowl into
Page 253 and 254:
enough), and explore while under su
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dig into, well-draining etc.) are n
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ecome healthy and their housing can
Page 259 and 260:
Section 16 Companion Cubs and Handr
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Cubs must exercise and explore to p
Page 263 and 264:
Table 3 : Summary of the internatio
Page 265 and 266:
Table 5 : International giant otter
Page 267 and 268:
Days/ Months Sex Weight/Length (ent
Page 269 and 270:
Table 7: Adult Giant Otter Weights
Page 271 and 272:
Graph 2 : Giant Otter Cub Weight Gr
Page 273 and 274:
Duplaix, N. 1980. Observations on t
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asiliensis, Gmelin, 1788) No Zooló
Page 277 and 278:
Otter Colloquium Pietermaritzburg 1
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International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

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