Otter EnrichmentTEAM MEMBERS: VAMSI VARRA, ADITYA YADAVALLI, AND MICHAEL MATHISONCLIENT: ST. LOUIS ZOOSECTION 2

Otter Cup-stacking Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wavh47RpLz4

Need and Project Scope Oscar the otter, at the St.

Louis Zoo, needs enrichment in order to keep his stress levels low, and maintain his overall health

Not enough land Fully functional, working model Help from an undergraduate

electrical engineer, Kunal Patel

Background

Lontra Canadensis: Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna

Movement types: “quadrupedal paddling, forelimb paddling, alternate hind-limb paddling, simultaneous hind-limb paddling, or body and tail dorsoventral undulation.”

Diet is mainly fish and crustaceans Can use tools Observational Learning

Specific Design Requirements

< $50 Safe Indestructible Can’t be used to climb out Floats Should not cause obesity/allergies/other illnesses Should not cause high levels of stress or overactivity

Existing Solutions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsRlO4dQJGI Playing piano Public interactive live cricket feeding Live fish, frozen fish, swim tubes, and PVC pipe scent tubes Scented plastic balls Bamboo hoop with food

LiteratureStudy Name Author SummaryLontra candensis Lariviere et al. This study provides a great deal of

background on the general anatomy and structure of the Lontra candensis in addition to its ecology and its reproductive behavior

Foraging Behavior and Feeding Ecology of the Otter Lutra Lutra: A Selective Review

David N. Carss This study highlights the foraging behavior, habitat psychology and dietary needs of the river otter.

AZA Otter Care Manual

AZA Small Carnivore Taxon Advisory Group

This manual summarizes every aspect from typical environment, behavior management, animal health care, and future research.

Bite Forces and Evolutionary Adaptations to Feeding Ecology in Carnivores

Christiansen et al.

This study summarizes the bite strength and histology of jaw development in Carnivores closely related to the otter.

PatentsPatent Name Publication

NumberDescription of Product/ Relevance to Otter Enrichment

Animal Enrichment Devices

US20140069

338

This is a mobile device form which the animal can attempt to withdraw food from. The animal’s effort to obtain food will be rewarded by this device. Used to reward otters.

Combined Kennel Door and Latch USD367734

This is a kennel where the animal is housed and transported in. A latch that cannot be mistakenly opened by the animal is located on the outside of the kennel. Patent was referenced by the creators of Vari-Kennel, the kennel used for otters.

Monofilament Ribbon Pile Product

US3332828 This is the patent for what is more commonly known as Astro-Turf. This is used to imitate grass an otter would encounter in a real habitat.

Dog Chew Toy USD348959 This product is a long rope with rubber fiber hybrids interspaced throughout the toy allowing for graspable locations. This product is used to promote activity and enrich the social aspect of the river otter in captivity.

Bobbin US2170773 An old patent for the spool holding thread or wire during machine sewing and lacemaking. This is replicated on a larger level for otters as toys for further activity and enrichment.

Super-Enhanced, Adjustably Buoyant Floating Island

US20110146559

This is a floating island used to decorate ponds and other bodies of water. This is used as further enrichment to emulate a natural habitat for the otter.

Preliminary Analysis Performed

Otter Weight: 11 to 30 lbs Body Size: 55 to 80 cm Tail Size: 30 to 50 cm Can swim up to 20 meters underwater and at 11 km/h. Highly sensitive to any kind of pollution in water: threshold value

for toxicity of mercury poisoning is 20-30 ppm Estimated Bite Strength 223.4 Newtons Can climb and jump heights up to 6 feet

Current Exhibit Dimensions Holding: 8' x 4' chain link

enclosure (2" x 2" openings) Mulch area: ~4ft x 5ft Sand area: ~13ft x 4ft River rock: ~4ft x 5 ft Concrete areas: Shorelines are 2-

4ft wide; steps: ~1.5ft x 9ft

Preliminary Design ScheduleDate Objective

18-Sep

Finish rough draft of preliminary report and send to Dr. Klaesner for review

19-Sep Turn in finished version of preliminary report22-Sep Preliminary oral report given by Vamsi

9/27 – 10/04 Brainstorm of all possible solutions

22-Oct

Finish rough draft of progress report and send to Dr. Klaesner for review

24-Oct Turn in finished version of progress report27-Oct Progress oral report given by Aditya

11/03 – 11/06 Narrowing down of solutions to one that we will implement11/10 – 11/27 Detailing of final solution and making of prototype

19-Nov Finish and turn in peer reviews29-

Nov Finish rough draft of final report and send to Dr. Klaesner for review1-Dec Turn in finished version of final report3-Dec Final oral report and presentation of prototype done by Michael

12/5 – 12/20 Conversion of prototype into a lasting, working model

Team Responsibilities

Vamsi Varra: Designates team roles and assignments Maintains contact with zoo contact and electrical engineer collaborator

Aditya Yadavalli Resources Final check of assignments Safety and Regulations

Michael Mathison Coding Patent Information Market Analysis