International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management Information and Guidelines (Husbandry and Management of the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis).
2nd Edition). EAZA, Amsterdam. 276 Seiten.
Einleitung (Auszug):
A broad overview of husbandry and management information is included. It expands upon the recommendations that were presented within the 1st edition manual and covers a wider variety of topics. For example, the individual land to water area ratio necessary for each enclosure, as well as separable enclosure area, below 240 m² (2,583.4 ft²) in size and a minimum size for indoor enclosures that attach to outdoor enclosures in temperate climates are presented within this manual. (Note: each enclosure below 240 m² in size, requires a different land to water area ratio based on its particular size.) Specific recommendations for these situations were not included within the 1st edition. Discussions on specific substrates necessary for all enclosure land and floor areas and the size of the area and depth needed for deep digging areas are expanded upon within this manual.
These guidelines are based upon a compilation of the research, experiences and contributions from the zoos/institutions that have held giant otters in captivity world-wide and historically and from those who have studied this species in the wild. This information was gathered from published and unpublished papers/studies, survey results, conferences, lectures, and personal communications. In 1997 the “South American Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) Husbandry, Management, and Historical Census Survey” (Sykes 1997-99) was sent to 28 zoos and institutions that hold or held giant otters. These 4 and 8 page surveys gathered information on captive husbandry and management practices, basic life history data, reproduction, and behavior of giant otters at the corresponding institution. Sixteen or 57% of the institutions surveyed responded to the questionnaire. The continuation of information collection from the aforementioned and other institutions has been on-going during and since the completion of the original survey. This is vital so that knowledge about these animals can be increased and shared with all. The invaluable information provided by the all of the aforementioned sources helped make these recommendations possible. All of those who made contributions are credited within this manual for the specific information they provided. All are also listed under the section “Contributing Institutions”.
Not all aspects of husbandry and management are presented within this manual or some have only been covered in brief. Quarantine, capture, anesthesia, biological and natural history information has been gathered and is available currently by request.
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