Caring for Selected Otter Species (Asian small-clawed, Cape ...

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Version 3, 9 December 2009 Taxonomy This manual covers only four species, listed below in bold, for information on the care of other otter species consult the Otter Specialist Group’s (OSG) Otters in Captivity Task Force link: (http://www.otterspecialistgroup.org/) Table 1: Taxonomic classification for Lutrinae Classification Taxonomy Additional information Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Carnivora Suborder Caniformia Family Mustelidae Sub Family Lutrinae Some species names are still being debated Table 2: Genus, species, and status information for Lutrinae managed by author facilities (bold type). Genus Species Common Name IUCN Status Managed by AZA, EAZA^, ARAZPA+ Aonyx(Amblonyx) cinereus(cinerea)* Asian smallclawed otter Vulnerable SSP,PMP1a+ Lutra (Hydrictis) maculicollis Spottednecked Least Concern SSP otter Pteronura Lontra(Lutra) Lutra Aonyx brasiliensis canadensis lutra capensis Giant otter North American river otter Eurasian otter Cape clawless otter Endangered Least Concern Near Threatened Least Concern SSP, EEP^ PMP EEP^ AZA Not managed Lontra longicaudis Neotropical otter Data Deficient Not managed* Lontra Lontra felina provocax Marine otter Southern River otter Endangered Endangered Not managed* Not managed* Lutrogale perspicillata Smoothcoated otter Vulnerable Not managed* Lutra sumatrana Hairy-nosed otter Endangered Not managed* Lutra congicus Congo clawless otter Least Concern Not managed* Enhydra lutris Sea otter Endangered Managed by other groups ^ European Association of Zoos and Aquaria – European Endangered Species Program (EEP) + Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria 6
* Some recent resources are still using Aonyx cinerea (Wilson & Reeder 2005) however, the IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group and ITIS have switched to Aonyx cinereus based on input from Koepfli & Wayne (1998, 2003) and advise that the appropriate Latin gender declination is cinereus and not cinerea; we are using the OSG as our citing source (http://www.otterspecialistgroup.org/). Introduction Quality care of otters is a goal we all strive for. This manual should be viewed as a living document and in the future we hope to expand its coverage to all otter species held in wildlife facilites. The authors invite all professionals working with otters to contribute their expertise to this document; to do so please contact lontracat@live.com. Additional information on the care of otters is available in the following husbandry manuals: - Asian Small-clawed Husbandry Manual (Lombardi et al. 1998); dusty.lombardi@columbuszoo.org - International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management Information and Guidelines 2005, 2 nd Edition (Sykes-Gatz 2005); sheilasykes@hotmail.com - AZA Small Carnivore TAG 2009. Otter (Lutrinae) Care Manual. Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Silver Spring, MD. p.160. - North American River Otter Notebook, 3rd Edition (Reed-Smith 2008). lontracat@live.com; http://www.otterspecialistgroup.org/Library/TaskForces/OCT.html - The following documents also are available at: http://www.otterspecialistgroup.org/Library/TaskForces/OCT.html o Summary of Husbandry Guidelines for African Spotted-necked Otters in Captivity (Benza et al. 2009) Otters In Captivity Task Force document o Summary of Husbandry Guidelines for Asian small-clawed otters (Heap et al. 2009). Also available in Vietnamese. Otters in Captivity Task Force document o Summary of Husbandry Guidelines for North American (aka Nearctic) River Otters (Lontra canadensis) in Captivity (Owens et al. 2009). Otters in Captivity Task Force document o Basics of Otter Training (K. McKay) Otters in Captivity Task Force document o Husbandry Guidelines: Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) (A. Melissen 2000) o Minimum Husbandry Guidelines for Smooth-coated Otters in Captivity (Wright 2008) o Minimum Husbandry Guidelines for Asian small-clawed Otter (Wright 2008) o Additionally, there are several other very useful reprints. Natural History/Description Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) (Photo credit: Jennifer Brink, Zoo Atlanta) This is one of five otter species found in Asia. It is one of the smallest of the world’s otters, rarely weighing more than 5kg. A gregarious species, it is often seen in large groups of up to 15 animals, and captive studies suggest that these groups are composed of an alpha breeding pair and their offspring from successive litters. Asian small-clawed otters have unusual hand-like front paws with increased tactile sensitivity and reduced webbing, which they use to forage for their prey of crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish. Asian small-clawed otters are found from Palawan (Philippines) through Indonesia, Southeast Asia, southern China, and westwards throughout the Himalayan foothills of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. A disjunctive population occurs in southern India (Foster-Turley et al. 1990). Listed on CITES as Appendix II (www.cites.org) and as Vulnerable by IUCN/SSC the population is considered to be decreasing. 7
Page 1 and 2: Version 3, 9 December 2009 Caring f
Page 3 and 4: Table of Contents Taxonomy ........
Page 5: Pup development ...................
Page 9 and 10: This semi-aquatic species is found
Page 11 and 12: Facilities that rely on climate con
Page 13 and 14: - Chlorine: Chlorine can be used, i
Page 15 and 16: The minimum exhibit size (including
Page 17 and 18: olfactory, and audio separation to
Page 19 and 20: CHAPTER 3: Transport Preparations T
Page 21 and 22: oth institutions notified as quickl
Page 23 and 24: The only social grouping not recomm
Page 25 and 26: a daily basis, allowing all animals
Page 27 and 28: CHAPTER 5: Nutrition Nutritional Re
Page 29 and 30: Diet formulation should account for
Page 31 and 32: • Grated fruit and vegetables: ca
Page 33 and 34: - Vitamin E: 400 IU/kg dry weight b
Page 35 and 36: Preventive Medicine It is important
Page 37 and 38: Parasite control Otters should have
Page 39 and 40: Urination Defecation Frequency, amo
Page 41 and 42: - Ketamine: 12-15mg/kg & midazolam:
Page 43 and 44: Kimber, K. DVM, G.V. Kollias DVM, P
Page 45 and 46: Pair management Group management Si
Page 47 and 48: infections, which frequently cause
Page 49 and 50: Gestation is roughly 60-63 days (R.
Page 51 and 52: L. canadensis: Pups can be removed
Page 53 and 54: and scattered around the enclosure.
Page 55 and 56: formula feeding and 8-10% body wt i
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3:1* 22.90 10.97 8.63 1.54 1.59 1.5
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- First spots seen ~6 days, whitish
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CHAPTER 8: Behavior Management Anim
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Behavior Verbal cue Visual cue Crit
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- Can it be used as a weapon - Can
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Factors that should be considered w
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CHAPTER 9: Education/Conservation M
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References AAFCO 1994. Association
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Gatz, V. 2002. Protected contact tr
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Arbeitstagung der Zootierärzte im
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Yerke, R. and A. Burns. 1993. Evalu
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APPENDIX A: Photos Included here ar
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Squeeze cage design used by several
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niacin helps the body to convert en
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APPENDIX C: Pup Weights of Captive
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APPENDIX D: List of Commonly Traine
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APPENDIX E: Enrichment Items Common
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APPENDIX F: Resources for Enrichmen
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Bloomsmith M, Laule G, Thurston R,
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Age of Game Fish in Ozark Otter Sto
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The husbandry, maintenance, enginee
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o o o o o Microbiology Incubator Fu
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APPENDIX 1: GLOSSARY OF RELEVANT TE
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The use of any filtering substance
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION Project: Otter
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Have you ever failed to complete an
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OTTER EXHIBIT LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM R
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1. Inspection a. Examination: The c
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APPENDIX 3: DISINFECTION Bromine Br
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In its liquid form (sodium hypochlo
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APPENDIX 4: SKIMMER BOXES All skimm
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APPENDIX 5: ALGAE CONTROL Algae in
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APPENDIX I: Female Otter Reintroduc
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Version 3, 9 December 2009 APPENDIX
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____________ live in aquatic ______
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Otter is hungry. Can you help him f
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