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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proper authorities (i.e. park officials, wildlife authorities, police, government, conservation<br />
groups) so that any necessary action can be taken. It is very important that the number of otters<br />
that are orphaned <strong>and</strong> each particular situation is reported <strong>and</strong> evaluated to determine the impact<br />
on wildlife, what particular problems exist, <strong>and</strong> how these problems can be better addressed<br />
<strong>and</strong>/or resolved. This is crucial to help protect this endangered species.<br />
What should be done with wild born orphans after h<strong>and</strong>rearing (i.e. release in wild, place in<br />
zoo/institution etc.)? This is a very serious issue that deserves much attention, scientific study,<br />
<strong>and</strong> open discussion among all involved. The consequences of the final decisions combined will<br />
have a serious impact on giant otters in captivity <strong>and</strong> may have some impact on this species in<br />
the wild, as both of these populations are currently in serious danger of extinction.<br />
It is essential that the institutions that are interested in acquiring/keeping otters after h<strong>and</strong>rearing<br />
meet the requirements stated in the “Synopsis” under Chapter 1. Pairing the individual with an<br />
otter that it has not grown up <strong>and</strong>/or been h<strong>and</strong>reared with, may be an important factor to help<br />
increase the chances of successful reproduction, therefore this is highly recommended. (The<br />
otter obviously should be paired with an unrelated individual.)<br />
Great planning <strong>and</strong> a scientific approach are necessary if h<strong>and</strong>reared wild orphaned otters are<br />
intended to be released back in the wild (Burnette 1994). The goal, called “hacking out”, is to<br />
introduce the otter to the wild while it is under controlled conditions <strong>and</strong> release it only after it is<br />
able to function on its own. Animals need to be supplied natural food items, taught natural<br />
living <strong>and</strong> hunting skills (i.e. so they can catch their own food etc.), be kept in natural enclosures<br />
<strong>and</strong> exposed to as many natural environmental conditions <strong>and</strong> items as possible, <strong>and</strong> be<br />
gradually removed from human contact well-before release. Appropriate giant otter habitat also<br />
must be found <strong>and</strong> scientifically studied beforeh<strong>and</strong>, to help ensure survival upon release.<br />
Methods used to teach wild orphaned giant otters how to successfully live in the wild (i.e.<br />
hunting skills etc.) <strong>and</strong> how <strong>and</strong> where to release these otters have not been scientifically studied<br />
<strong>and</strong> no guidelines have been developed. How it is best to house <strong>and</strong> expose the intended<br />
releasee to as many natural objects <strong>and</strong> conditions as possible, how <strong>and</strong> what natural food items<br />
should be supplied, <strong>and</strong> when <strong>and</strong> how to minimize human contact before release have not been<br />
studied in the aforementioned manner. The appropriate age to release otters <strong>and</strong> the appropriate<br />
places for release (i.e. undisturbed areas with plentiful food <strong>and</strong> den areas, minimal competition,<br />
mates to pair with etc.) have not been researched.<br />
Scientific <strong>and</strong> long-term studies on the success of h<strong>and</strong>reared orphans that are released into the<br />
wild <strong>and</strong> what factors before <strong>and</strong> after their release affect their success, from what is known at<br />
this time, have not been carried out. The ability to survive, find mates, form pairs, breed <strong>and</strong><br />
rear cubs have not been assessed in long term scientific follow-up studies. How the otter’s lack<br />
of experience (i.e. in skills for living in the wild, family group/social interactions, <strong>and</strong> cubrearing<br />
assistance etc.), lack of exposure to diseases before release, <strong>and</strong> exposure to humans<br />
before release affect success has not been thoroughly investigated. How competition with other<br />
giant otters in the territory released <strong>and</strong> encounters with predators (e.g. caimans) <strong>and</strong> humans<br />
(i.e. releasees have lost their fear of humans <strong>and</strong> humans pose threats to otters) affect success is<br />
only known by general reports.<br />
To date, scarce information <strong>and</strong> no known long-term scientific studies exist on any of the<br />
aforementioned issues concerning h<strong>and</strong>reared wild orphaned giant otters that have been released<br />
back into the wild. These matters need immediate international attention. It is crucial that<br />
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