Giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis breeding programmes: challenges and current developments

There is a history of over 130 years of Giant otters Pteronura brasiliensis in zoos. Thanks to the intensive work carried out at numerous holding institutions and huge progress in husbandry practices, especially over the past 20 years, significant success has been achieved in the breeding of this Endangered species. Initially kept for awareness and education purposes, the breeding programme for the Giant otter is gradually evolving into a global management programme capable of combining ex situ and in situ conservation. At the time of writing, zoos on four continents (South America, North America, Europe and Asia) work together with partners from research, conservation and the authorities to preserve this wonderful species, for which a reintroduction project is in the process of being established.