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

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Association of Zoos and Aquariums 90 Otter (Lutrinae) Care Manual 1. To continue the assessment of predator-prey relationships, including conflicts with subsistence and commercial fishermen. 2. To evaluate the positive and negative impact of tourism on different habitats and implement management guidelines in order to maximize the benefits. 3. To encourage the development of a long-term research and conservation project in the Llanos of Venezuela or Colombia. 4. To undertake collaborations between field scientists, zoos, and genetic labs to evaluate the potential use of genetic analysis tools in giant otter research. Field Research: Additional research is needed to clearly delineate the impact that various forms of water pollution, agricultural and other development along riparian habitats, industrial and housing development in coastal areas, cumulative impacts related to loss or alterations of wetlands, large flood control structures, and interactions that these and other factors have on otter populations (N.A. river otter) The impact of river otter on sport-fish populations and the growing characterization of the river otter as the primary cause of localized falling fish populations is something that should be researched and monitored. General Areas of Research Needed: • Nutritional needs to include nutrition related diseases • Reproductive research – reproductive physiology research is ongoing (Helen Bateman, C.R.E.W.) and should continue for all otter species. • Veterinary issues – to include efficacy of vaccines, titers, and common causes of death in ex-situ populations. All otters should be necropsied and results sent to the veterinary advisor. • Status in the wild – institutions should assist the AZA Otter SSP in raising awareness and funds to adequately assess the status of wild otter populations of all species. • Ex-situ population behavior studies – to assess extent and type of stereotypes observed in the ex-situ population, to assess breeding/parturition behavior; to assess optimum group size and composition for otters of ex-situ populations.
Association of Zoos and Aquariums 91 Otter (Lutrinae) Care Manual Acknowledgements The AZA Otter SSP and animal care guideline coordinator for the SCTAG would like to express thanks to the many AZA members and non-AZA members who contributed their expertise to the creation of these guidelines. We also acknowledge the commitment to quality care of zoo and aquarium animals demonstrated by the extraordinary support received from Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, and Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden/C.R.E.W. All three institutions supported the creation of this document by contributing extensive amounts of valuable personnel time and expertise. Dr. Joseph Barber assisted immeasurably throughout the early creation and first edition of this document; his help and patience are greatly appreciated. It is important to note that the recommendations contained in this manual are fluid and may need to be modified to offer best practice care to particular individual animals. The most important thing to remember is to know your animals and pay attention to their individual needs. Questions regarding any of the information contained in this manual may be directed to Jan Reed-Smith (lontracat@live.com) or Dusty Lombardi (dusty.lombardi@columbuszoo.org). For additional information on otters, otter conservation, otter research, and otter care we recommend the IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group web site at: www.otterspecialistgroup.org or the International Otter Survival Fund at: www.otter.org.
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Otter (Lutrinae) Care Manual - Association of Zoos and Aquariums

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