Zutrition: analyzing and evaluating diets fed to captive mammals at Capron Park Zoo

B. Dzierga, E. Kaiser DVM, Honors Program, Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science, The University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA, Capron Park Zoo , Attleboro, MA , USA

Abstract

Zoos provide both experiential and educational opportunities for the general public to learn about

animals found in a variety of habitats around the world. A successful zoo must provide a safe and

enjoyable environment for the visitors, in addition to the species living within the enclosures.

Animal husbandry and welfare are crucial aspects to which close attention must be paid, and zoos

have a responsibility to attempt to approximate the captive species’ natural habitats and life

histories. An essential part of maintaining a captive zoo animal’s health and wellbeing is

providing the animal with an appropriate diet. In addition to supporting the animal’s physical

health, a good diet can be used to provide stimulating enrichment to captive wildlife. Food is one

of the most commonly used forms of enrichment provided to captive animals in order to stimulate

mental problem solving, foraging, and even hunting behaviors that would normally be exhibited

in the wild. Good nutrition is also critical in order to prevent many diseases in captive animals,

which they would likely not be at risk of developing if they were living in their natural habitat.

To provide the animals a properly balanced nutritional meal plan, both qualitative and

quantitative measures must be considered in the selection of food. Creating proper proportions of

meals and balancing nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, fat, fiber, carbohydrates, and

water for each species improves the overall wellbeing of the animals found at a zoo. Capron Park

Zoo, located in Attleboro, MA, strives to provide high quality nutrition to a diverse range of

captive wild animals. The existing meal plans fed to the mammals residing at Capron Park Zoo

have not been reviewed or analyzed in recent years. Nutritional research is ongoing and new

discoveries are constantly being made, so it is crucial for zoos to stay up to date regarding the

recommended diets for the animals. By reviewing and analyzing existing meal plans and

performing a literature review on the diet and nutritional needs of each species, the purpose of

this project was to revise or alter Capron Park Zoo’s current meal plans in order to provide the

resident mammals with the highest quality care possible.

Captive Vs. Wild Diets

Objective

Acknowledgements

References

African Lions Kaela and Naela at Capron Park Zoo

Ring-Tailed Lemur Flav at Capron Park Zoo

Samples of Captive Mammal Diets

"Hypothyroidism in Dogs.“ http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/cliented/hypothyroidism.aspx. Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. 22 July 2009.

Web. 11 Apr. 2014.

"Inflammatory Bowel Disease." http://www.vet.cornell.edu/FHC/health_resources/brochure_ibd.cfm. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. 2014. Web.

11 Apr. 2014.

Peterson, Mark. "Hypothyroidism” http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/endocrine_system/the_thyroid_gland/hypothyroidism.html. The Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

August 2013, Web. 11 Apr. 2014.

Rucinsky, Renee; Cook, Audrey; Haley, Steve; Nelson, Richard; Zoran, Debra; Poundstone, Melanie. "2010 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and

Cats." https://www.aahanet.org/Library/DiabetesMgmt.aspx. American Animal Hospital Association. May/June 2010, Web. 11 Apr. 2014.

Funding for this project was provided by The University of Rhode Island Honors Program.

A special thanks to the mentor of this project, Emma Kaiser, for providing her time and experiential

knowledge in the field of veterinary medicine and for sparking an interest in me to forage into zoological

medicine. A special acknowledgement to Michael Schlegel, PhD, PAS, Dipl. ACAS-Nutrition, the Nutritional Services

Director at the San Diego Zoo Global, for providing data for diets fed to species at the San Diego Zoo, and to

Jim Keiper for providing the photographs.

Thank you also to Carolyn Hames, M.S., R.N., F.T., Associate Professor and Associate Director of Honors, for

her persistence and guidance throughout the process of this project.

Factors That Affect Diet Formulation

Diabetes Mellitus: Present In: Ring-Tailed Lemur

What Is It? Inhibition of insulin secretion due to dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells.

Clinical Signs: Hyperglycemia and glycosuria, which can lead to weight loss, polyuria,

polydipsia (PU/PD).

Diet Accommodations? Feed a high protein, low carbohydrate, and low caloric diet in

small, frequent meals.

Hypothyroidism: Present In: Sloth Bear, North American River Otter

What Is It? A decrease in metabolic rate due to suppression of secretion of thyroid

hormone.

Clinical signs: Thinning/loss of hair, dry, scaly skin, dull hair coat, weight gain, and low

body temperature.

Diet Accommodations? Low fat diet, and oral thyroid replacement hormone of T3 or T4.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Present In: Fennec Fox, DeBrazza’s Monkey

What Is It? A chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disorder, leading to thickening of the

GI tract and a decrease in function.

Clinical Signs: Weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy.

Diet Accommodations? High fiber, low fat, easily digestible, and hypoallergenic diet.

The objective of this project is to analyze, evaluate, and

modify the pre-existing diets fed to mammals at Capron

Park Zoo and create a hard bound diet manual to be

implemented for daily use.

Carnivore Diet (African Lions)

Herbivore Diet (Red Kangaroos)

Red Kangaroo at Capron Park Zoo

African Lions at Capron Park Zoo

Lions (0.2)

Daily Except Sunday – 1.75 kg Bravo

MWF- 325 g Beef Heart

TThSa- 2 Chicken Quarters

Su- 1 Bone

Supplements:

(Once a Week on Monday) –Naela and Kaela:

2 Tbsp. Laxatone

Lion (1.0)

Daily Except Sunday – 3 kg Bravo

MWF- 250 g Beef Heart

TThSa- 3 Chicken Quarters

Su- 1 Bone

Supplements:

(Once a Week on Monday) – Ramses:

2 Tbsp. Laxatone

Red Kangaroos (5.1)

Free Choice Grass Hay

PM:

350 g Herbivore Mix

375 g Monkey Chow

MWFSu- 75 g Raw Carrot, 250 g Apple

TThSa- 500 g Raw Sweet Potato, 350 g Leafy

Greens, 2 Alfalfa Blocks

Supplements:

Daily-5 g Vitamin E

Daily for First Full Week of Each Month-

10 g Horse Bran

Sloth Bears (1.1)

Bear Mix Ratio- 2 Propac Dog Food: 1 Laboratory

Primate Biscuits

Daily Per Bear:

2 kg Bear Mix

12 g Ground Flax Seed

70 g Apple or Melon

70 g Tomato or Kiwi

70 g Cooked Sweet Potato

70 g Grapes

70 g Pear

50 g Banana

50 g Orange or Pineapple

Sunday Only:

100 g Hard Boiled Egg

Supplements:

Daily for First Full Week of Each Month-

40 g Horse Bran

Daily- 2 g Equine Cosequin w/ MSM on Food

Omnivore Diet (Sloth Bears)

Anatomical Variations in Gastro-Intestinal Tracts

Sloth Bear Goof at Capron Park Zoo

Pre-existing Conditions/Diseases

Carnivore (Serval) Herbivore (Reeves’s

Muntjac)

Aspects that must be considered when assimilating natural

diets to captive settings:

-Adjusting nutritional requirements based on activity in captivity

-Guaranteeing essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals

-Having an in-depth knowledge of diets consumed in the wild

-Ensuring the accessibility and affordability of feeds in captivity

Two-Toed Sloth at Capron Park Zoo

Left Juvenile Bat: Briell Dzierga Right Mentor Bat: Emma Kaiser, DVM

http://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/zoo-1604-study-guide-2012-13-dzialowski/deck/9712083