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Volume 16 Issue 2 Pages 58 - 110
(October 1999)
Citation: Gómez, J. R., Jorgenson, J.P. &
Valbuena, R. (1999)Report on the Rehabilitation and Release of Two
Giant River Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) Pups in the Bita River
(Vichada, Colombia) IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 16(2): 86
- 89
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Report on the Rehabilitation and Release of Two
Giant River Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) Pups in the Bita River
(Vichada, Colombia)
Juan Ricardo Gómez1, Jeffrey P.
Jorgenson2 and Ricardo Valbuena1
1
OMACHA Foundation, Diag 145A # 31-04 Bogotá, COLOMBIA, jrgomez27@hotmail.com
2 Pontificia Universidad Javeriana,
Department of Biology, Cra 7 # 43 - 82 Bogotá, COLOMBIA
(received 30th August 1999, accepted 2nd December, 1999)
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Abstract: Two Giant Otter (Pteronura
brasiliensis) cubs were rehabilitated and released
successfully and adopted into wild otter groups. The
protocol used is presented. For a successful rehabilitation
and release program, it is necessary to understand the basic
ecology and behaviour of the species, as well as to have the
appropriate facilities, feeding protocols, and adequate veterinary
services available.
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| Español
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INTRODUCTION
Giant river otters face numerous biotic and abiotic threats
throughout their geographical distribution. In Colombia, otters are also
captured to satisfy the local demand for pets. Many of these pets, upon
reaching maturity, become an enormous expense for the family that
possesses it. This expense is a result of the large quantity of food
that the otters require. Likewise, as a result of their considerable
size and strength, many otters are killed by frightened humans. During
the field phase of the Bojonawi Project [Ecology of the Giant Otter (Pteronura
brasiliensis), in the Bita River, Vichada Colombia] (1997-1998),
rehabilitation and release of two giant river otter cubs was undertaken.
This activity was carried out by the two authors associated with the
OMACHA Foundation over a period of 7 continuous months. Since this
activity was not formally developed before hand, it was mainly through
trial and error. Due to a lack of information and financial resources,
our actions depended on the situation at the moment, but we always tried
to make decisions that were for the benefit of the otter cubs. The first
pup (Ñamñam), a female, was received at approximately 2 months of age
and she participated in the program for a period of 6 months, until her
liberation. The second otter cub (Pepe), a male of approximately 4.5
months old, participated in the program for only 1 month, but was also
liberated. We know for sure that the two cubs were adopted by a wild
otter family that resided within the study area, in an area adjacent to
the NIMAJAY Ecotourism Campsite that also served as the base camp for
the larger study on giant river otter ecology. The two cubs came from
different places; Ñamñam came from a small village (Cumaribo, Vichada),
and Pepe came from Puerto Carreño City (Vichada). Both cubs were kept
as pets and they were donated after a long talk with the people that
owned them. Neither cub was bought.
METHODS
Table 1 presents, in chronological order, each activity related to
the rehabilitation and release process. The options are mentioned, the
decision that was taken, and some comments in this respect are
indicated.
| Table 1. |
|
| ACTIVITY |
OPTIONS |
DECISIONS |
COMMENTS |
|
RECEIPT OF THE INDIVIDUAL
# 1
(Ñamñam,
Female,
2 month old aprox.) |
-
To rehabilitate it physically and biologically for
subsequent release locally.
-
To rehabilitate it physically, to maintain it in captivity
-
To attempt the rehabilitation and release whilst keeping
open the option to use the individual for breeding during this
period.
-
To sacrifice the individual.
|
To rehabilitate it physically and biologically for subsequent
release locally. |
Ñamñam had 2 injuries in the neck region on the right side.
These injuries were deep and not healing, but weren't infected.
She was very active and had a good appetite. |
| PLACE OF TREATMENT |
- To treat her wounds in the city of Puerto Carreño.
- To take her to the otter study camp and to begin the
rehabilitation process immediately.
|
To take her to the otter study camp, and to begin the process
immediately. |
In Puerto Carreño, Ñamñam was in contact with domestic
animals, from which she had contracted several illnesses.
We considered that Ñamñam should be introduced as soon as
possible to her natural environment. |
| TRAINING FOR THE CAPTURE OF FISH |
- To offer dead fish (whole or in parts).
- To create artificial ponds stocked with fish that could be
captured by Ñamñam.
- In open areas (rivers or lagoons), to offer her live fish,
but with restricted mobility.
- To swim and play with Ñamñam, in and out of the water,
several times a day. During this time she would be able to
capture fish when hungry.
|
To create artificial ponds stocked with fish that could be
captured by Ñamñam.
In open areas (rivers or lagoons), to offer her live fish, but
with restricted mobility.
To swim and play with Ñamñam, in and out of the water,
several times a day. |
The period of confinement was modified as the individuals
advanced in their ability to capture fish.
These activities were continued until Ñamñam began to fish by
herself in open areas locally, including pipes, lagoons, and the
river. |
| FEEDING |
- To contact international otter specialists and obtain the
information about diet and feeding products to raise giant
otter cubs.
- To depend on our knowledge and intuitions, in order to offer
the appropriate foods despite the scarce of economic resources
that were available.
|
To depend on our knowledge and intuitions, in order to offer
the appropriate foods despite the scarce resources that were
available |
Initially, Ñamñam was fed with a mixture of human poudered
milk formula for human babies, cod liver oil and a small dose of a
multivitamin.
As Ñamñam grew, we offered her live fish so that she would
recognise them as prey and learn to capture them herself. |
| COEXISTENCE WITH HUMANS |
- To avoid contact with humans.
- To take advantage of Ñamñam's presence to develop an
environmental education campaign.
|
To avoid contact with humans. |
Because the camp was a tourist site, containig numerous
visitors and workers, an educational campaign was implemented
toward the conservation of the species. Ñamñam was transferred
to a nearby area not visited by humans. |
RECEPTION OF INDIVIDUAL 2
(Pepe,
Male,
approx. 5.5 month old) |
- To isolated him in quarantine, away from individual 1 (Ñamñam).
- To put him in contact immediately with Ñamñam.
|
To put him in contact immediately with Ñamñam. |
Although we knew that quarantine would be better, due to the
lack of personnel and appropriate facilities Pepe was placed with
Ñamñam. We chose this option in order to take advantageof the
fact that Pepe could learn important survival skills from Ñamñam. |
RELEASE
(Ñamñam and Pepe) |
- Release them in an area already inhabited by other otters
and to let them establish a territory or join an existing
group.
- Release them in an uninhabitated area.
|
Release them in an area already inhabited by other otters and
to let them establish a territory or join an existing group. |
They were adopted by a wild family group that inhabited the
area near the camp. Thus, it was not necessary to force the
separation between the otters and humans. |
| FOLLOW-UP OBSERVATIONS |
Follow-up observations were made on three occasions during
which the released individuals were confidently identified. |
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During the larger study on the ecology of otters, it was
necessary to establish the distribution and abundance of otters
throughout the study area. These observations facilitated the
identification of the group that eventually adopted the two pups.
The pups were individually recognisable due to the unique fur
coloration on their necks. |
CONCLUSIONS
The rehabilitation and release of the giant river otter cub (Pteronura
brasiliensis) into the natural environment is a difficult process,
but can be accomplished successfully.
For a successful rehabilitation and release program, it is necessary
to understand the basic ecology and behaviour of the species, as well as
to have the appropriate facilities, feeding protocols, and adequate
veterinary services available.
It would be helpful to compile other rehabilitation and release
experiences in order to develop an action protocol based on the
knowledge obtained..
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS - Jeffery
P. Jorgenson, OMACHA Foundation, Royal Netherlands Embassy, INNOVA
Kayaks, friends and people that directly or indirectly help in the
success of the project.
REFERENCES
Carter, S.K., Rosas, F.C. (1997). Biology
and conservation of the Giant Otter Pteronura brasiliensis. Mammal
Rev. 27: 1-26.
Defler, T. (1986). The giant otter in El
Tuparro National Park, Colombia. Oryx 20: 87-88.
Duplaix, N. (1978). Status and ecology of
giant otters in Surinam. In: Duplaix, N. (ed.) Otters,
Proceedings IUCN Otter Specialist Group Meeting ; IUCN Publication, New
Series.
Duplaix, N. (1980). Observations on the
ecology and behavior of the giant river otter Pteronura brasiliensis
in Surinam. Revue Ecologique (Terre Vie) 34: 495-620.
Foster-Turley, P., Macdonald & S.M., Mason,
C.F. (1990). Otters, an action plan for their conservation. IUCN/SSC
Otter Specialist Group, 126 pp.
Gómez Serrano J.R. (1999). Ecología
alimentaria de la nutria gigante (Pteronura brasiliensis) en el
bajo río Bita. Tesis de grado. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.
Santafé de Bogotá Colombia. 80pp.
Helder, J. & Ker, H. (1997). Food and
feeding habits of the neotropical river otter Lontra longicaudis
(Carnivora, Mustelidae), Mammalia 61: 192 - 203.
IUCN (1992). Otters. IUCN/SSC publication,
Gland, Switzerland, 33pp.
Schenck, C. & Staib, E. (1994). Lobo de
río: Un gigante bajo presión gigantesca. PN del Manu, INRENA,
Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt, Wildbiologische Gesellschaft
München e.V, Germany, 77pp.
Resumen: Reporte de la rehabilitación y
liberación de 2 crías de nutria gigante (Pteronura brasiliensis) en el
Río Bita (Vichada, Colombia)
Las nutrias gigantes de río además de todos los factores de presión
comunes en las diferentes áreas donde se distribuyen, se enfrentan en
Colombia, a la captura de sus crías para ser usadas mascotas. Muchas de
estas mascotas, al alcanzar cierta edad, representan un gasto enorme
para la familia que la posee, debido a la gran demanda de alimento que
requieren, así mismo como una amenaza por tratarse de un animal de
considerable tamaño y fuerza, por lo que son asesinadas. Durante la
fase de campo del proyecto Bojonawi [Ecología de la Nutria Gigante (Pteronura
brasiliensis), en el Bajo Río Bita Vichada Colombia], se llevó a
cabo el proceso de rehabilitación física y biológica de dos crías de
Nutria Gigante, durante un período de 7 meses. La primera cría (Ñamñam),
una hembra, se recibió de aproximadamente 2 meses de edad. Se trabajó
con ella durante un período de seis meses, hasta su liberación. El
segundo (Pepe), un macho de aproximados 4,5 meses, también fue liberado.
Se tiene la certeza que los dos individuos fueron 'adoptados', por
una familia silvestre, que habita dentro del área de estudio. Se
presenta un cuadro en orden cronológico donde junto a cada actividad
relacionada al proceso de rehabilitación y liberación de los
individuos, se mencionan las opciones a seguir, la decisión tomada y
algunos comentarios al respecto.
Vuelva a la tapa
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