International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

Section 5
Handrearing Captive-Born and Wild-Born Orphaned Cubs
Little information on giant otter handrearing has been maintained, studied, published or shared
among institutions. Therefore many questions exist and many issues are in need of immediate
international attention and scientific study. Field researchers, handrearers, and those who work
with giant otters in captivity have requested information to help them make comparisons with
other cubs (in the wild and in captivity) or/and improve management practices. Because much
information has been unavailable or is not known, such benefits could not be gained. It must be
stressed that some vital information, important to increasing knowledge of giant otters, can be
gathered only from cubs that are handreared (i.e. cub physical development, body temperatures
etc.). Giant otters that are reared by parents in the wild and in captivity must not be disturbed
by humans to gather this particular information, as it could lead to the loss of the litter because
of massive disturbance/stress to the parents/family group. Handrearers are urged to share their
experiences and expertise so that all may benefit. It is essential that this information is recorded
and openly shared with the international professional community to help increase overall
knowledge and awareness of the existent problems and to encourage scientific study and
problem resolution. This will help to improve management practices for animals in captivity
and as well, will help conservation efforts in the wild.
Detailed records and scientific study on handrearing practices, physical and behavioral cub
development, health issues, and progress / success of cubs released in the wild or held in
captivity should be maintained / carried out for all captive-born and orphaned wild-born
handreared cubs. The “hacking out” process of wild orphaned cubs should also be handled in
this manner. The nutritional content of mother’s milk (i.e. samples must be gathered after litter
loss only), the most successful/appropriate milk replacers for cubs (esp. those under one month
old), and the optimal age to start a slow gradual weaning process should also be investigated.
Information about these issues can be found in Chapter 5 and below.
For example, commercially prepared milk replacer formulas for carnivores, esp. Esbilac TM , are
highly recommended to rear all river otter cubs. Although, commercially prepared milk
replacers for human babies or cow’s milk (for human consumption) which are not
recommended for use, have been most commonly used to rear giant otter cubs. Interestingly,
these formulas have been used with success. The nutritional content (esp. percentages / types of
fat, protein, lactose etc.) of giant otter mother’s milk should be analyzed for comparison to the
variety of milk replacers available/used for this species. This information could then be used to
formulate and/or recommend types or brands of milk replacers that are most optimal to rear
giant otters specifically. (See husbandry training to attain milk samples after litter loss only,
under Section 4 Part C above and Chapter 4). Additionally, concerning an effective milk
replacer for giant otter cubs less than approx. one month old, either no information is reported
or formula fairly tried and found successful. It is most important to develop/find formulas that
could be used successfully in these cases. If a successful formula is already known, but not
reported, handrearers are encouraged to share this vital information with the professional
community. The research on milk replacer formulas currently used for giant otters should be
expanded and be studied in more detail. For example, studies should be conducted to determine
if the formulas currently used have been successful on every handreared cub and to what degree
are the cub’s total nutritional needs met with these formulas. The existence of lactose
intolerance should be studied, as well as, if or when vitamin, mineral, oil, or rice cereal
supplements are necessary. (See Chapter 5 Section 5 for details.)
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