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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When an indoor or outdoor enclosure or separable enclosure area is between 240 m 2<br />
(2,583.4 ft²) to 600 m 2 (6,458.4 ft²) in total size it is necessary to provide at least 60% l<strong>and</strong><br />
area in each of these locations (Duplaix-Hall 1972 &1975; Duplaix pers. comm. 2001; Sykes-<br />
Gatz 2001 & unpublished reports). I.e. each aforementioned location must not have less than<br />
60% l<strong>and</strong> area <strong>and</strong> it should have 40% water area. E.g. a 240 m 2 enclosure would require a<br />
144 m 2 (1,550 ft²) l<strong>and</strong> area <strong>and</strong> a 96 m 2 [1,033.3 ft²] water area.<br />
Enclosures that are 600 m 2 (6,458 ft²) or larger should have at least 60% l<strong>and</strong> area, although<br />
when these expansive enclosures have very large areas of useable quality dry l<strong>and</strong> available<br />
somewhat smaller l<strong>and</strong> proportions (%) will offer otters with sufficient l<strong>and</strong> area. As well,<br />
within these enclosures, water area proportions that are smaller by a reasonable amount will<br />
offer otters with sufficient water area. Providing enough l<strong>and</strong> area is crucial although even<br />
within enclosures that are 600 m² or larger. Great caution must be taken when l<strong>and</strong> area<br />
proportions are reduced below 60% within such enclosures. The amount that the l<strong>and</strong><br />
proportion is reduced should be in a reasonable proportion compared to how much the<br />
enclosure is actually above 600 m 2 (6,458 ft²) in size. If the total enclosure size is only a small<br />
amount above 600 m 2 the l<strong>and</strong> area ratio % should not be decreased below 60%. For example,<br />
Americana Zoo’s (Brazil) 895 m 2 (9,633 ft²) enclosure has a 42% l<strong>and</strong> to 58% water ratio.<br />
Although these dimensions do not provide at least 60% l<strong>and</strong> area, the otters are provided with<br />
sufficient l<strong>and</strong> area because the enclosure is well above 600 m 2 in size. Also, in an expansive<br />
exhibit, such as the 635 m 2 (6,835 ft²) exhibit in Brasilia Zoo (Brazil) that has an 85% l<strong>and</strong> to<br />
15% water ratio, sufficient water area is available.<br />
Part C. Minimum Enclosure Sizes<br />
The provision of expansive 1 complexly <strong>and</strong> naturally enriched enclosures is optimal (Duplaix-<br />
Hall 1972 & 1975; Foster-Turley 1990; Wünnemann 1995; Genealogical Meeting…in Brazil”<br />
1998; Duplaix pers. comm. 2001; Sykes-Gatz 2001 & unpublished reports). 1 Within this manual<br />
“expansive enclosure/exhibit” means any enclosure that is 600 m 2 [6,458.4 ft²] or larger. The<br />
larger, more complex, <strong>and</strong> natural the enclosure, the more benefits gained. (The enclosure also<br />
requires the recommended l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> water area designs <strong>and</strong> locations [esp. appropriate l<strong>and</strong> to<br />
water ratios that provide enough l<strong>and</strong>], substrates, <strong>and</strong> deep digging area sizes to offer these<br />
benefits.) This type of living area provides optimal enrichment <strong>and</strong> living conditions for giant<br />
otters. An “expansive” exhibit that offers otters ample area to dig underground dens is very<br />
important to help aid successful cub-rearing. This is because the larger the enclosure, the further<br />
parents can get away from human disturbances <strong>and</strong> presence during cub-rearing (i.e. the more<br />
privacy they have) <strong>and</strong> as well, natural underground dens provide additional visual <strong>and</strong> acoustic<br />
isolation. Also offered is an optimal area where otters can carry out, to the fullest extent possible<br />
in captivity, the innate terrestrial behaviors that are among the most important activities needed<br />
to allow them to significantly reduce or prevent the negative responses that can occur <strong>and</strong> cause<br />
significant problems during cub-rearing, new/unusual situations, <strong>and</strong> typical daily circumstances.<br />
(See Section 3 below for the aforementioned terrestrial activities.) Negative responses such as<br />
stress, nervousness, boredom, frustration, or fear etc. can cause problems such as litter loss,<br />
serious fights during introductions of unfamiliar animals, less/non directed or non goal oriented<br />
behaviors, stereotypical behaviors etc..<br />
The minimum size enclosure for one giant otter pair should be at least 240 m 2 (2,583.4 ft²)<br />
(Duplaix-Hall* 1972 & 1975). Extra room should be considered for offspring. Minimum size<br />
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