International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management Information and Guidelines (2005) (Husbandry and Management of the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), 2nd Edition) Updated December 2004 Compiled and Authored by: Sheila Sykes-Gatz International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management Information and Guidelines (2005) Husbandry and Management of the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) 2nd Edition Updated December 2004 Compiled and Authored by: Sheila Sykes-Gatz (Zoo Dortmund, Germany) E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Published by: Zoologischer Garten Dortmund Dr. Frank Brandstätter, Zoo Director Mergelteichstraße 80 44225 Dortmund Germany Phone: 0231 5028581 Fax: 0231 712175 [email protected] Cover Photo: Kerby at Zoo Dortmund.. Photo by Sheila Sykes-Gatz Dear reader, With this, the second and extended edition of the „Husbandry Guidelines” for the Giant Otter, one of the most fascinating species in the world, Sheila Sykes-Gatz is providing us with the most extensive and detailed volume that has ever been written about Giant Otters and their management in captivity. Thus, the information given is essential for anybody interested in Giant Otters. Sheila Sykes-Gatz has not only focussed on the external factors of Giant Otter keeping but has also paid close attention to the “inside” of the animals themselves, trying to examine their basic needs and find out about the factors that are most influential in the lives of Giant Otters. She has accumulated a large amount of biological and ethological knowledge about a species whose future is quite unsure. The Giant Otter is still ranking among the most threatened mammal species in the world. The major reasons for that are all human-induced: the destroying of their environment (forests along the river systems) and they are still being hunted for their pelts and as rivals to the local fishing industries. Thus, any contribution to the welfare of Giant Otters in captivity will add to the conservation of the species as part of our natural heritage. I would like to thank Sheila Sykes-Gatz for the immense work she has done. It is an important contribution to the quality management of Giant Otters in the zoo. Dortmund, March 2005 Dr. Frank Brandstätter Director of Dortmund Zoo 1 Table of Contents Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 7 Contributing Institutions/Individuals and Acknowledgments.................................................... 9 Giant Otter Characteristics.......................................................................................................... 13 Table 1: Pteronura brasiliensis Status in the Wild................................................................... 14 Chapter 1 Husbandry and Management Problems and Possible Solutions: An International Historical Overview Synopsis................................................................................................................................... 15 Section 1 Census Data and Number of Potential Breeding Pairs............................................................. 17 Section 2 Breeding, Cub-Rearing Success & Privacy from Human Disturbances................................... 20 Section 3 Health and Other Problems Caused by Inappropriate Enclosure Conditions............................ 26 Health problems involving the lower back, hind legs, and walking abilities............................. 28 Health problems with pads, webbing, and skin on feet/toes. Are pink foot/toe pads healthy?.. 29 Fur coat condition, grooming, infections and related health problems...................................... 30 Mental and behavioral health problems Conditions that negatively affect the ability to successfully rear cubs, adjust to new/unusual situations, and maintain mental and behavioral health............................................................. 31 Conclusions............................................................................................................................... 36 Improper Introductions of Unfamiliar and Temporarily Separated Otters; Enclosure Designs That Do Not Offer Parents Rearing Cubs Privacy from Human Disturbances............................................................................................................................. 37 Section 4 Part A. Health Problems, Viral Diseases & Vaccinations..................................................... 38 Part B. Reproductive, Physical, and Behavioral Characteristics............................................ 54 Part C. Ultrasounds (to detect pregnancies/health), Lactation Samples, Biological Values & Better Management via Husbandry Training:........................................................................... 57 Section 5 Handrearing Captive-Born and Wild-Born Orphaned Cubs ..................................................... 61 Chapter 2: Husbandry and Management Guidelines Explanation of Terms and Mathematical Units Used Within This Manual.............................. 69 Section 1 Part A. Overview of the Most Important Enclosure Design & Furnishing Requirements Necessary for the Husbandry of Giant otters............................................................................ 70 Part B. Land to Water Area Ratios Necessary for Every Enclosure That Contains Water & How to Inexpensively Modify Land to Water Ratios to Offer Enough Land....................... 74 Part C. Minimum Enclosure Sizes.......................................................................................... 76 2 Section 2 Introduction to Substrates and How to Easily Make Inappropriate Land and Floor Surfaces Appropriate..................................................................................................................................... 79 Part A. Land and Floor Substrates Necessary For Each Enclosure............................................................ 82 Deep Digging Area Necessary For Each Enclosure....................................................................... 85 Part B. Substrate Types and Husbandry Techniques................................................................... 86 Mulch and Sand Types and Husbandry Techniques...................................................................... 86 Specific Soil Types and Husbandry Techniques............................................................................ 87 Cleaning Procedures for Substrates and Maintaining Nestbox Bedding........................................ 89 Part C. Designs To Help Prevent Land and Floor Substrates from Entering Water Areas and Blocking Pool Drains/Filters & Keeper and Animal Shift Doors/Gates........................................ 90 Section 3 Why The Recommended Soft Loose Natural Substrates, Land to Water Ratios (i.e. minimum size land/floor area) & Deep Digging Areas Are Necessary in Every Enclosure Introduction.................................................................................................................................... 92 Part A. Physical Health Problems Health problems involving the lower back, hind legs, and walking abilities.................................. 94 Health problems with pads, webbing, and skin on feet/toes. Are pink foot/toe pads healthy?..... 98 Fur Coat Condition, Grooming, Infections, and Related Health Problems.................................... 105 Part B. Mental and Behavioral Health Problems Inappropriate enclosure conditions that can negatively affect the ability to successfully rear cubs, adjust to new/unusual situations, and maintain mental and behavioral health...................... 109 Section 4 Natural Land Furnishings (other than substrates) for Every Enclosure......................................... 124 Section 5 Locations and Designs for Land, Floor and Water Areas, Dens, Nestboxes & Areas for Natural Underground Dens Locations and Designs Necessary to Keep Land, Floors, Dens, Nestboxes & Natural Underground Dens Dry and What Makes Them Very Damp/Wet................................................ 129 Locations and Designs to Offer Parents Privacy/Isolation From Human Disturbances and Presence During Cub-Rearing....................................................................................................... 131 Locations and Designs for Visual-Acoustic-Olfactory Introductions of Unfamiliar and Temporarily Separated Otters........................................................................................................ 132 Locations and Designs to Maintain Appropriate Temperatures Within All Enclosure Areas.............................................................................................................................................. 132 Locations and Designs For Husbandry Training............................................................................ 132 Section 6 Enclosure Vegetation...................................................................................................................... 132 Section 7 Water Area Designs and Furnishings.............................................................................................. 134 Section 8 Containment Barriers and Service/Keeper Door Designs.............................................................. 139 Section 9 When Indoor Enclosures Are Needed and When They Require Water Areas, Temperature and Heating Recommendations & Outdoor Enclosure Shelter............................................................. 141 Section