Otter (Lutrinae) Care Manual - Association of Zoos and Aquariums

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Association of Zoos and Aquariums 76 Otter (Lutrinae) Care Manual It is recommended that all facilities have holding areas in order to shift animals into/out of their primary enclosure. Husbandry training may occur anywhere the individual animal seems to feel comfortable, and where the keeper can safely access them. Managers and caretakers should decide if food rewards can be hand fed or if a meat stick should be used to deliver the food. The following table (Table 16) provides some examples of husbandry training cues and criteria for behaviors trained with otters at various AZA institutions. Mckay (2009) describes some basic approaches to training otters. Table 16: Sample behaviors & training cues for otters (provided by: *Institution F; **Institution G; ***Institution H; ^Institution I; ^^Institution J; & +Institution K). Behaviors not identified are trained at all reporting institutions. Behavior Verbal cue Visual cue Criteria for reinforcement Down * Up * Up ^ Stand ** Kennel * Entering a crate ** Squeeze/Crate ***/^^ Crate + Scale * Target * Target ** Target ***/ ^ Target + Stay ** Stay/remote stay ^ “down” Hand flat in front of abdomen- moved in a downward motion “up” Index finger moved in upward motion to place you want them to target to Animal lays down quietly Animal moves to position of index finger “up” Left index points into the air Animal stands up “up” Use left hand and give the thumbsup sign “in” Index finger used to point into the kennel “box” Hand begins in fist in front of chest. As command is said, swing arm out and up in direction of the box and open hand into a high five. “crate” Target into squeeze cage or point to crate Hand placed on chain link near back of crate Otter keeps both back feet on the ground while standing up against the cage. Front feet should be hanging onto target pole place against the bars. Animal goes in kennel and allows door to be closed Animal will enter crate and lie down at the far right end. Animal will wait in position until bridged. Animal enters and allows the door to be closed Animal enters and stands in the crate, tail completely in “scale” Index finger used to point to scale Animal gets on scale & waits “here” Closed fist presented to front of mesh Nose placed at position of fist “target” Hold up target pole Animal grabs with both hands without biting – ASC otters “target” Show target pole Nose placed on target and holds until bridged Show 15’ broom handle on fence Put nose to target “stay” Right hand palm down and out. While in this position, push slightly toward animal while saying verbal cue. “stay” Hold hand up, palm towards the animal Hold fist up Animal stands/sits still while trainer moves away and returns Animal stays calmly Hold ^^ “hold” Hand cue Animal stays in place Lying parallel to ‘lie” Palm flat out and facing down. Animal lays down parallel to and
Behavior Verbal cue Visual cue Criteria for reinforcement cage front Shift Come in * Recall + Station **/^^ Station ^ Follow Foot present Paw Ultrasound ** Ultrasound *** Paint *** Nipple presentation *** Ventral present + Jumping into the pool ** Sweep arm in direction animal should face. “over” Arm begins up and parallel to chest, index finger pointed up. (Use arm that is in the direction you want the animal to shift. Move arm and corresponding foot in a sweeping motion indicating the direction you want the animal to go). 3 whistles- flat tone Association of Zoos and Aquariums 77 Otter (Lutrinae) Care Manual touching cage front. Remains calm and quiet until bridged. The animal goes to the are indicated, comes to front of cage, stands quietly with eyes on trainer None Animal moves in to location of person whistling Clicker Animal moves off exhibit to catch area None Trainer stands in specified location with hands at their sides, beginning of training set ------ Point using two fingers of either hand to station desired “come” Say come and walk in direction you want the animal to go “toes” “paw” “right” “left” Begin with right arm up parallel to body, index and middle fingers pointed up. Extend arm straight down (palm side down) continuing to point both fingers. Visual signal for stand; point or target foot wanted. “up” Cue as for up, trainer body can be low Animal comes to the front of the cage, stands quietly with their eyes on the trainer Animal moves to the spot and stays calmly The animal follows and stops directly in front of the trainer Animal should place both feet under the bottom of cage while lying down in front of trainer. It should be lying still and focused on the trainer. Cue each foot to right or left, can use target or catch less dominant foot when opportunity rises; most have dominant foot they learn easily. Same as stand, animal should wait while being touched on abdomen with pole or wand. “touch” Show wand Otter stands on back legs and touches target with nose while abdomen/kidneys ultrasounded through cage mesh. “paint” Show painting apparatus Animal grabs paint brush and puts paint on canvas. “nipple” Target up while standing on hind legs. Slowly reach with fingers extended, toward otter Animal presents chest or abdomen against cage mesh for manipulation Target placed high on fence Animal climbs fence until all feet off the ground and ventrum placed on fence “water” Use right hand with food in it. Start with hand in a fist in front of chest. With a sweeping motion, move fist up to cage. Arm should be parallel. Open hand palm up and out. Tap The animal should jump into the water to retrieve food.
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Otter (Lutrinae) Care Manual - Association of Zoos and Aquariums

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