Reproductive failure in elephants is thought to be caused or influenced by a range of factors such as obesity, infectious disease, husbandry, facilities, stress, behaviour, maternal experience, herd size and social grouping. Due to the low reproductive activity of the small zoo elephant population, scientific study into the relative importance of these factors is limited. This study takes an epidemiological approach using risk analysis methodologies to collate information from expert opinion, data set analysis and a targeted questionnaire to identify and assess a range of physical, behavioural and husbandry based risk factors, which may affect reproductive success in elephants housed in European Zoos. Much of our knowledge on reproduction in zoo elephant populations originates from North America where there are significant differences in herd structure, management practices, climate and mean age. By combining multiple sources of evidence including a large survey of reproduction in the European elephant population and eliciting expert opinion from scientists, zoo managers, veterinarians and keepers working with European zoo elephants in a structured, transparent and scientifically recognised process it has been possible to identify the most important causes of reproductive failure and assess the influence of a range of potential confounding factors. Important causes of reproductive failure included lack of access to a compatible bull, herd stability and compatibility, allomothering or maternal experience, management practices at parturition and the impact of Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus. This work is to be used in the development of evidence-based elephant management and welfare recommendations and highlights priority areas for further research.
{"title":"Assessing Risk Factors for Reproductive Failure and Associated Welfare Impacts in Elephants in European Zoos","authors":"M. Hartley","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I3.162","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I3.162","url":null,"abstract":"Reproductive failure in elephants is thought to be caused or influenced by a range of factors such as obesity, infectious disease, husbandry, facilities, stress, behaviour, maternal experience, herd size and social grouping. Due to the low reproductive activity of the small zoo elephant population, scientific study into the relative importance of these factors is limited. This study takes an epidemiological approach using risk analysis methodologies to collate information from expert opinion, data set analysis and a targeted questionnaire to identify and assess a range of physical, behavioural and husbandry based risk factors, which may affect reproductive success in elephants housed in European Zoos. Much of our knowledge on reproduction in zoo elephant populations originates from North America where there are significant differences in herd structure, management practices, climate and mean age. By combining multiple sources of evidence including a large survey of reproduction in the European elephant population and eliciting expert opinion from scientists, zoo managers, veterinarians and keepers working with European zoo elephants in a structured, transparent and scientifically recognised process it has been possible to identify the most important causes of reproductive failure and assess the influence of a range of potential confounding factors. Important causes of reproductive failure included lack of access to a compatible bull, herd stability and compatibility, allomothering or maternal experience, management practices at parturition and the impact of Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus. This work is to be used in the development of evidence-based elephant management and welfare recommendations and highlights priority areas for further research.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"127-138"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68104182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. Gerstner, A. Liesegang, J. Hatt, M. Clauss, Cordula Galeffi
Many animals display seasonal patterns of behaviour and metabolism that can be also be observed in captivity. During an obesity-control program in Andean bears ( Tremarctos ornatus ) at Zoo Zurich, a seasonal fluctuation of body mass war observed once ideal body mass had been reached. The focus of this study was the question if metabolism of a male and three female animals was affected by seasonality according to their seasonal breeding behaviour, using data on pelleted food intake (from computer controlled feeders) and body mass (from regular weighing). The pelleted diet in the feeder boxes was provided additionally to a daily ration containing vegetables, fruits, pellets for environmental enrichment, and fish. This daily ration was adjusted, within prescribed limits, by the animal keepers depending on the previous day's consumption. Formulas developed for dogs were used to estimate the metabolizable energy (ME) content of the diet and maintenance requirement of the bears depending on their individual body mass. Energy requirements for minimum walked distances between the feeders was calculated as well as energy requirement for fat accretion or energy gained from body fat by body mass loss. Body mass showed a seasonal fluctuation with maxima in spring and minima in autumn, in contrast to the pattern typically observed in animals from the temperate zone; in the male, the body mass maximum occurred later than in the females. Feed intake from feeder boxes peaked in autumn, at the beginning of body mass gain in the females. These patterns cannot be explained as seasonal adaptations to climatic changes in the zoo environment, but match the natural breeding season of Andean bears in their natural habitat, suggesting genetically fixed photoperiodic clues. The data indicate that body mass fluctuation in a range considered ideal for the species was mostly based on the additional food whose amount was adjusted - within limits - by the keepers on a daily basis. Such adjustment, without incurring the risk of obesity in bears that are known as voracious eaters, is a good example of the skill required in animal husbandry.
{"title":"Seasonal body mass changes and feed intake in spectacled bears (Tremarctos ornatus) at Zurich Zoo","authors":"K. Gerstner, A. Liesegang, J. Hatt, M. Clauss, Cordula Galeffi","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I3.181","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I3.181","url":null,"abstract":"Many animals display seasonal patterns of behaviour and metabolism that can be also be observed in captivity. During an obesity-control program in Andean bears ( Tremarctos ornatus ) at Zoo Zurich, a seasonal fluctuation of body mass war observed once ideal body mass had been reached. The focus of this study was the question if metabolism of a male and three female animals was affected by seasonality according to their seasonal breeding behaviour, using data on pelleted food intake (from computer controlled feeders) and body mass (from regular weighing). The pelleted diet in the feeder boxes was provided additionally to a daily ration containing vegetables, fruits, pellets for environmental enrichment, and fish. This daily ration was adjusted, within prescribed limits, by the animal keepers depending on the previous day's consumption. Formulas developed for dogs were used to estimate the metabolizable energy (ME) content of the diet and maintenance requirement of the bears depending on their individual body mass. Energy requirements for minimum walked distances between the feeders was calculated as well as energy requirement for fat accretion or energy gained from body fat by body mass loss. Body mass showed a seasonal fluctuation with maxima in spring and minima in autumn, in contrast to the pattern typically observed in animals from the temperate zone; in the male, the body mass maximum occurred later than in the females. Feed intake from feeder boxes peaked in autumn, at the beginning of body mass gain in the females. These patterns cannot be explained as seasonal adaptations to climatic changes in the zoo environment, but match the natural breeding season of Andean bears in their natural habitat, suggesting genetically fixed photoperiodic clues. The data indicate that body mass fluctuation in a range considered ideal for the species was mostly based on the additional food whose amount was adjusted - within limits - by the keepers on a daily basis. Such adjustment, without incurring the risk of obesity in bears that are known as voracious eaters, is a good example of the skill required in animal husbandry.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"121-126"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68104571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shark Bay Mice ( P. fieldi ) were bred at Perth Zoo to provide animals for release to the wild as part of recovery actions for the species. Three-hundred and thirty-five young were produced from 93 litters, with an average litter size of 3.6 (range 1 – 6). Sexual maturity for both sexes was reached at 65 days of age, and breeding was observed all year round. The oldest female to give birth was 625 days of age and the oldest male to sire young was 531 days of age. Following a planned interruption to the program and the separation of breeding pairs, there was some difficulty in later re-establishing reproduction. A strategy to stimulate a return to breeding, along with detailed husbandry methods, is described.
{"title":"Captive Breeding of the Shark Bay Mouse Pseudomys fieldi to Facilitate Species Recovery in the Wild","authors":"C. Lambert, V. Power, G. Gaikhorst","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I3.141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I3.141","url":null,"abstract":"Shark Bay Mice ( P. fieldi ) were bred at Perth Zoo to provide animals for release to the wild as part of recovery actions for the species. Three-hundred and thirty-five young were produced from 93 litters, with an average litter size of 3.6 (range 1 – 6). Sexual maturity for both sexes was reached at 65 days of age, and breeding was observed all year round. The oldest female to give birth was 625 days of age and the oldest male to sire young was 531 days of age. Following a planned interruption to the program and the separation of breeding pairs, there was some difficulty in later re-establishing reproduction. A strategy to stimulate a return to breeding, along with detailed husbandry methods, is described.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"164-168"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68104381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acyclicity, conception failure, abortion, stillbirth, dystocia, infanticide and neonatal mortality have all been reported as causes of reproductive failure in zoo elephants. These events are often reported as single case reports or in specific studies focused on a particular stage in the reproductive process. In North America wider surveys of reproduction in the zoo elephant population have been completed and repeated to provide data over a number of years. This study is the largest and most comprehensive study of reproduction in the European zoo elephant population to date. Two questionnaires collected data from throughout the reproductive process from assessing cyclicity to independence of the calf at 5 years old. Information was collected regarding 189 birth events. Many causative and contributing factors such as obesity, infectious disease, husbandry, facilities, stress, behaviour, herd size and social grouping have been proposed. The importance of these was assessed and where possible association identified using statistical analysis. In African elephants, this study found that age, obesity, reproductive pathology and dominance, identified as important risk factors for failure to conceive in the American zoo elephant population were of low importance. The most significant cause in Europe was lack of access to a compatible bull. In Asian elephants reproductive failure was much less common but when it did occur age and reproductive pathologies were significant factors as found in previous studies. Previous studies have found that age, obesity and infanticide were considered as the most important risk factors in the period from birth to rearing. In this survey it was found that herd stability and compatibility, allomothering or maternal experience and management at parturition can significantly influence reproductive success. Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes virus was confirmed as the biggest cause of calf mortality. This work provides evidence to support changes to elephant management in European zoos in order to encourage development of social and affiliative herd behaviours and improve reproductive success.
{"title":"Survey of reproduction and calf rearing in Asian and African elephants in European zoos","authors":"M. Hartley, Christina R. Stanley","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I3.161","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I3.161","url":null,"abstract":"Acyclicity, conception failure, abortion, stillbirth, dystocia, infanticide and neonatal mortality have all been reported as causes of reproductive failure in zoo elephants. These events are often reported as single case reports or in specific studies focused on a particular stage in the reproductive process. In North America wider surveys of reproduction in the zoo elephant population have been completed and repeated to provide data over a number of years. This study is the largest and most comprehensive study of reproduction in the European zoo elephant population to date. Two questionnaires collected data from throughout the reproductive process from assessing cyclicity to independence of the calf at 5 years old. Information was collected regarding 189 birth events. Many causative and contributing factors such as obesity, infectious disease, husbandry, facilities, stress, behaviour, herd size and social grouping have been proposed. The importance of these was assessed and where possible association identified using statistical analysis. In African elephants, this study found that age, obesity, reproductive pathology and dominance, identified as important risk factors for failure to conceive in the American zoo elephant population were of low importance. The most significant cause in Europe was lack of access to a compatible bull. In Asian elephants reproductive failure was much less common but when it did occur age and reproductive pathologies were significant factors as found in previous studies. Previous studies have found that age, obesity and infanticide were considered as the most important risk factors in the period from birth to rearing. In this survey it was found that herd stability and compatibility, allomothering or maternal experience and management at parturition can significantly influence reproductive success. Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes virus was confirmed as the biggest cause of calf mortality. This work provides evidence to support changes to elephant management in European zoos in order to encourage development of social and affiliative herd behaviours and improve reproductive success.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"139-146"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68104549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
As global climate change warms the Southern Ocean, wild king penguins ( Aptenodytes patagonicus ) possibly face drastic population declines in the future. Moreover, the captive breeding program in Europe is currently unsustainable and it is thus imperative to determine what is required for successfully breeding king penguins. A questionnaire was used to assess the husbandry practices and breeding success of 12 American and European zoos. Overall, a positive relationship was found between yearly egg productivity and density of king penguins held in enclosures in different zoos. All zoos examined showed male-biased adult sex ratios and yearly egg productivity was found to be negatively related to the deviation from an even sex ratio. Mean hatching success was greater in zoos performing outside walks with king penguins than in those that did not. Based on records over 40 years, the population of the sustainably breeding Basel Zoo in Switzerland was modelled using stage-based matrix models to get insight into its breeding success. Years of medium colony size (density of 0.25 to 0.38 individuals per m 2 ) displayed a larger growth rate than years with high or low colony size and years with equal sex ratios showed a higher growth rate than those with male-biased or female-biased sex ratios. The results suggest zoological institutions should focus on increasing density and striving toward equal sex ratios within king penguin populations to maximize breeding success. Where possible, adding outside walks should also be taken into consideration.
{"title":"King Penguins in Zoos: Relating Breeding Success to Husbandry Practices","authors":"Simone Schweizer, P. Stoll, F. Houwald, B. Baur","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.163","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.163","url":null,"abstract":"As global climate change warms the Southern Ocean, wild king penguins ( Aptenodytes patagonicus ) possibly face drastic population declines in the future. Moreover, the captive breeding program in Europe is currently unsustainable and it is thus imperative to determine what is required for successfully breeding king penguins. A questionnaire was used to assess the husbandry practices and breeding success of 12 American and European zoos. Overall, a positive relationship was found between yearly egg productivity and density of king penguins held in enclosures in different zoos. All zoos examined showed male-biased adult sex ratios and yearly egg productivity was found to be negatively related to the deviation from an even sex ratio. Mean hatching success was greater in zoos performing outside walks with king penguins than in those that did not. Based on records over 40 years, the population of the sustainably breeding Basel Zoo in Switzerland was modelled using stage-based matrix models to get insight into its breeding success. Years of medium colony size (density of 0.25 to 0.38 individuals per m 2 ) displayed a larger growth rate than years with high or low colony size and years with equal sex ratios showed a higher growth rate than those with male-biased or female-biased sex ratios. The results suggest zoological institutions should focus on increasing density and striving toward equal sex ratios within king penguin populations to maximize breeding success. Where possible, adding outside walks should also be taken into consideration.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"91-98"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68103120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Point-of-care cardiac troponin I in non-domestic species: a feasibility study","authors":"Y. Feltrer, T. Strike, A. Routh, D. Gaze, R. Shave","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.172","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.172","url":null,"abstract":"This article was published in Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research on 30 April 2016 (online), available at http://www.jzar.org/jzar/article/view/172","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"99-103"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68104325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F. Molenaar, R. Piercy, B. Dunkel, N. Manning, K. English, M. Stidworthy, N. Masters
One of the 172 UK cases of equine atypical myopathy (EAM) reported to the Atypical Myopathy Alert Group (AMAG) in 2014 was that of a five-month old male Przewalski horse ( Equus ferus przewalskii ), resident at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, UK. The foal presented initially with sudden-onset and repeated stretching of the neck as if dysphagic, with progressive weakness (including lying down), sweating and an unresponsive demeanour. General anaesthesia, induced with a combination of etorphine, midazolam and hyaluronidase, was required for each examination and subsequent treatment of the foal. Initial biochemical analysis showed a markedly increased plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity of 105,001 U/L, an increased aspartate amino transferase (AST) activity of 4194 U/L and a mildly increased inorganic phosphorus concentration of 2.35 mmol/L. The foal was unresponsive to treatment and had to be euthanased. Skeletal musculature and the myocardium showed the most significant pathological changes, with histological evidence of rhabdomyolysis, whilst urine organic acid analysis and an abnormal organic acid serum profile were supportive of multiple acyl Co-A dehydrogenase deficiency typical of EAM. This is the first description of EAM in a non-domestic equid.
{"title":"Equine atypical myopathy associated with sycamore seed ingestion in a Przewalski foal","authors":"F. Molenaar, R. Piercy, B. Dunkel, N. Manning, K. English, M. Stidworthy, N. Masters","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.156","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.156","url":null,"abstract":"One of the 172 UK cases of equine atypical myopathy (EAM) reported to the Atypical Myopathy Alert Group (AMAG) in 2014 was that of a five-month old male Przewalski horse ( Equus ferus przewalskii ), resident at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, UK. The foal presented initially with sudden-onset and repeated stretching of the neck as if dysphagic, with progressive weakness (including lying down), sweating and an unresponsive demeanour. General anaesthesia, induced with a combination of etorphine, midazolam and hyaluronidase, was required for each examination and subsequent treatment of the foal. Initial biochemical analysis showed a markedly increased plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity of 105,001 U/L, an increased aspartate amino transferase (AST) activity of 4194 U/L and a mildly increased inorganic phosphorus concentration of 2.35 mmol/L. The foal was unresponsive to treatment and had to be euthanased. Skeletal musculature and the myocardium showed the most significant pathological changes, with histological evidence of rhabdomyolysis, whilst urine organic acid analysis and an abnormal organic acid serum profile were supportive of multiple acyl Co-A dehydrogenase deficiency typical of EAM. This is the first description of EAM in a non-domestic equid.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"105-108"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68103244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study documents the degradation of formalin in saltwater recirculating systems and the response of the biological filter during a five-day 25 ppm formalin treatment regimen. A total of nine additions of formalin was administered over the course of five days. The target concentration was 25 ppm and frequent water sampling documented the degradation. Degradation rates changed over time (0.689–7.495 formalin ppm·hr -1 ) and results revealed frequent periods below therapeutic concentrations. Removal rates were not statistically different in systems with different bacterial diversity or systems with increased fish density. The results suggest the need for frequent testing and follow-up additions during treatment cycles to ensure therapeutic concentrations and prevent recurrence of pathogens.
{"title":"Response of Recirculating Saltwater Aquariums to Long-Term Formalin Treatment","authors":"S. Knight, L. Boles, M. A. Stamper","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.131","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.131","url":null,"abstract":"This study documents the degradation of formalin in saltwater recirculating systems and the response of the biological filter during a five-day 25 ppm formalin treatment regimen. A total of nine additions of formalin was administered over the course of five days. The target concentration was 25 ppm and frequent water sampling documented the degradation. Degradation rates changed over time (0.689–7.495 formalin ppm·hr -1 ) and results revealed frequent periods below therapeutic concentrations. Removal rates were not statistically different in systems with different bacterial diversity or systems with increased fish density. The results suggest the need for frequent testing and follow-up additions during treatment cycles to ensure therapeutic concentrations and prevent recurrence of pathogens.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"77-84"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68103193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. Whitehouse-Tedd, L. Hebbelmann, J. Strick, P. Vercammen, E. Dierenfeld
Captive browsing ruminants are particularly susceptible to gastrointestinal disorders, and inappropriate diets are an underlying factor. This study investigated the nutritional composition of browse and pelleted feedstuffs used in an Arabian facility and compared nutrient intake against current recommendations for exotic ungulates. Additionally, retrospective evaluation of post-mortem findings with regard to gastrointestinal pathologies was conducted (n = 497). Samples of browse from seven species of locally cultivated plants, as well as three brands of pelleted feeds, were submitted for laboratory analysis. Following a five-day feed intake study, nutrient intake was calculated. Only moderate variation was seen among browse species’ composition compared to previous reports. However, significant variation occurred between plant fractions (stem, leaves and seed pods) for neutral detergent fibre and several minerals. Browse comprised over half of the metabolisable energy (ME) intake of Arabian tahr ( Arabitragus jayakari ), but only 11% of ME for Arabian gazelle ( Gazella gazella cora ) and Dorcas gazelle ( G. gazella dorcas ). However, no relationship could be detected between gastrointestinal disease and browse provision in these species. No nutrient deficiencies were identified, but the Arabian tahr diet exceeded the recommended amount of crude protein, and both gazelle diets provided excess iron, manganese, copper and zinc. These mineral excesses are the subject of on-going investigations in order to better balance the diets offered. Moreover, the high starch content of pelleted diets evaluated in the current study (22–29%, on a dry matter basis) indicates that a reduction in the proportional provision of pellets would improve the diet suitability, particularly for the gazelles. This study highlights a number of areas for potential improvement, although further research is required to fully understand the implications of these findings.
{"title":"Nutritional composition of browse and diets fed to ungulates at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife","authors":"K. Whitehouse-Tedd, L. Hebbelmann, J. Strick, P. Vercammen, E. Dierenfeld","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.138","url":null,"abstract":"Captive browsing ruminants are particularly susceptible to gastrointestinal disorders, and inappropriate diets are an underlying factor. This study investigated the nutritional composition of browse and pelleted feedstuffs used in an Arabian facility and compared nutrient intake against current recommendations for exotic ungulates. Additionally, retrospective evaluation of post-mortem findings with regard to gastrointestinal pathologies was conducted (n = 497). Samples of browse from seven species of locally cultivated plants, as well as three brands of pelleted feeds, were submitted for laboratory analysis. Following a five-day feed intake study, nutrient intake was calculated. Only moderate variation was seen among browse species’ composition compared to previous reports. However, significant variation occurred between plant fractions (stem, leaves and seed pods) for neutral detergent fibre and several minerals. Browse comprised over half of the metabolisable energy (ME) intake of Arabian tahr ( Arabitragus jayakari ), but only 11% of ME for Arabian gazelle ( Gazella gazella cora ) and Dorcas gazelle ( G. gazella dorcas ). However, no relationship could be detected between gastrointestinal disease and browse provision in these species. No nutrient deficiencies were identified, but the Arabian tahr diet exceeded the recommended amount of crude protein, and both gazelle diets provided excess iron, manganese, copper and zinc. These mineral excesses are the subject of on-going investigations in order to better balance the diets offered. Moreover, the high starch content of pelleted diets evaluated in the current study (22–29%, on a dry matter basis) indicates that a reduction in the proportional provision of pellets would improve the diet suitability, particularly for the gazelles. This study highlights a number of areas for potential improvement, although further research is required to fully understand the implications of these findings.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"65-76"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68103234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Collins, Thomas Quirke, Louise Overy, Kevin Flannery, R. O'riordan
Investigations into the effect of the captive environment on zoo and aquarium-housed animals is now a well-established area of research, yet little attention is given to the effect of these animals on zoo visitors. It has been suggested that some animals have a greater ability to attract and thus educate visitors, but there is a dearth of information in this area. Furthermore, before a captive species’ educational potential can be determined, its response to the zoo environment should be investigated to ensure its welfare. The current study first considered the effect of visitor presence and environmental enrichment on the behavioural diversity levels of aquarium-housed gentoo penguins ( Pygoscelis papua ), with particular attention given to pool-use and nesting behaviour. Then, based on the animals’ response to the visitors and enrichment, we consider the educational potential of the penguin group. Data were obtained through scan samples taken throughout the breeding season. Results indicate that visitor number affects behavioural diversity levels, with higher numbers of visitors associated with greater behavioural diversity and pool use by penguins. However, neither visitor behaviour nor enrichment appeared to affect behavioural diversity. Nesting behaviour was not affected by any of the variables that were tested. Based on these results we conclude that the penguins at this aquarium have a high educational potential. The results of this study suggest that future research should consider the use of interactive enrichment and how captive penguins may further enhance visitor learning.
{"title":"The effect of the zoo setting on the behavioural diversity of captive gentoo penguins and the implications for their educational potential","authors":"C. Collins, Thomas Quirke, Louise Overy, Kevin Flannery, R. O'riordan","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.158","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.158","url":null,"abstract":"Investigations into the effect of the captive environment on zoo and aquarium-housed animals is now a well-established area of research, yet little attention is given to the effect of these animals on zoo visitors. It has been suggested that some animals have a greater ability to attract and thus educate visitors, but there is a dearth of information in this area. Furthermore, before a captive species’ educational potential can be determined, its response to the zoo environment should be investigated to ensure its welfare. The current study first considered the effect of visitor presence and environmental enrichment on the behavioural diversity levels of aquarium-housed gentoo penguins ( Pygoscelis papua ), with particular attention given to pool-use and nesting behaviour. Then, based on the animals’ response to the visitors and enrichment, we consider the educational potential of the penguin group. Data were obtained through scan samples taken throughout the breeding season. Results indicate that visitor number affects behavioural diversity levels, with higher numbers of visitors associated with greater behavioural diversity and pool use by penguins. However, neither visitor behaviour nor enrichment appeared to affect behavioural diversity. Nesting behaviour was not affected by any of the variables that were tested. Based on these results we conclude that the penguins at this aquarium have a high educational potential. The results of this study suggest that future research should consider the use of interactive enrichment and how captive penguins may further enhance visitor learning.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"85-90"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68103399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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