International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to handrear giant otters together and negative
consequences may result because of this or simply the fact that otters are handreared by humans.
Some handreared carnivores may “…have difficulty fitting into a social group, exhibiting either
excessive aggression or shyness. Animals raised without any carnivore contact may not fit in at
all, preferring human contact to that of their own species.” (Read & Meier 1996). It also should
be determined if there are “critical periods” for the social development of handreared giant otter
cubs. I.e. critical periods exist for the socialization of domestic dogs and therefore exotic
species [such as giant otters], may also have a critical period (Read & Meier 1996).
“Experiences, or lack of them, during these times may permanently affect the animal, resulting
in abnormal adult behavior.” Additionally, cubs that are reared alone and/or are not socialized
early enough in life with conspecifics may not only be unable to interact normally with
conspecifics, but they may even reject or kill them when introduction does occur. They may
also be unsuccessful at breeding and rearing offspring.
On the other hand great caution must be taken as young giant otters, juveniles, sub-adults, or
adults may fight with, injure or possibly, even kill unfamiliar young animals introduced to them.
Unfortunately, reports of this do exist. Young otters have fought against other unfamiliar young
otters and adults have fought against unfamiliar young animals and even familiar juveniles
(Lazzarini pers. comm., Kranz pers. comm.). Even familiar temporarily separated otters have
caused injury upon re-introduction. See Chapter 2 for more information on how to conduct safe
introductions of unfamiliar otters and familiar otters that have been temporarily separated.
Note: during handrearing a dog might be helpful, in addition to human companionship, to
provide additional stimulus and companionship. Although little is known about how successful
or appropriate this practice would be, as this was known to have been used only with one giant
otter and no further details are available. I.e. a dog had been used a companion for a giant otter
with one of the first giant otters kept in Germany...[and] it might be interesting for evaluation if
this is also feasible for giant otters [during handrearing] (Wünnemann, pers. comm., 2004).
This practice although has been used with other species and it has been successful. E.g.
domestic cats or dogs have been successfully used for companion animals during the
handrearing of golden cats and tigers (Wünnemann, pers. comm., 2004).
Institutions that handrear orphaned wild giant otters should possess and/or provide the
following: appropriate care and facilities, handrearing experience, thorough documentation,
open communication, and information sharing. It would also be helpful if they could carry out
scientific research on handrearing practices and cub development. Because reports indicate that
the mortality rate of handreared orphaned wild otters released back into the wild has been very
high, handrearers should be open to the option to transfer otters to zoos/institutions to facilitate
breeding success in captivity. Which institutions are available to receive wild orphaned cubs for
handrearing needs to be determined. The development, organization, and communication of a
broad base of international facilities that are qualified to handrear orphaned otters need to be
encouraged. Handrearers should be encouraged to join a communication network so that
connections and information sharing can be easily accomplished. Persons who can volunteer
their services as translators should be organized to help assist communications. International
meetings / conferences involving professional and experienced handrearers should be organized.
Any institution/person who receives orphaned wild cubs/otters should thoroughly investigate
and document why and how the otter became orphaned and where its original family exists.
Known events that occurred from the time it was separated from its wild parents until it was
received and all persons involved should be recorded. This information should be given to the
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