Developmental milestones among African elephant calves on their first day of life
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20179.abs A recurrent issue confronted by zoos is the extent to which animals living ex situ have life history profiles representative of those living in situ. The lengthy lifespan of African elephants hinders collecting proper comparative data, but enough information has been published to conduct preliminary analyses comparing the developmental profile of zoo and […]
A complex Enrichment Diet improves growth and health in the endangered Wyoming toad (Bufo baxteri)
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20223.abs The endangered Wyoming toad (Bufo baxteri) suffers nutrition related pathologies including poor growth and feeding difficulties from squamous metaplasia. Juvenile B. baxteri were each fed three supplemented feeder diets over 22 weeks and their growth, strike rate, and ingestion success measured. Diet (1) Enrichment Diet: feeder crickets fed fish oil, spirulina, and ground […]
Milk intake and development in a newborn captive African elephant (Loxodonta africana)
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20048.abs In August 2003 the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park (WAP) and the Lowry Park Zoo, under the auspices of the AZA’s Elephant SSP and a USFWS permit, imported 3.8 African elephants (Loxodonta africana) from the Kingdom of Swaziland. When they were captured, transrectal ultrasound examinations revealed that one nulliparous cow was approximately […]
Growth and development of the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) at Healesville Sanctuary, Victoria, Australia
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10092.abs A study of the growth and development of the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) was undertaken on a litter born at Healesville Sanctuary in Healesville, Victoria, Australia. Measurements of crown–rump length, head length, and head width were recorded every week from birth. Body weight was recorded weekly once the joeys were detached from the […]
Early social influence on nestling development in Waldrapp ibis (Geronticus eremita)
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10050.abs The Waldrapp ibis is critically endangered; hence specific knowledge is needed to support the management of the last birds in the wild, and to prepare for reintroduction projects. In this study we attempted to test the effects of raising an ibis as a single chick from hatching to the age of 3 weeks, […]
Effects of diet on nutritional content of whole vertebrate prey
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1996)15:53.3.CO;2-S Proximate composition (moisture, lipid, protein, ash), vitamin A and vitamin E content, and six minerals (Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn, Ca) were measured in quail, rats, mice, and guinea pigs raised on at least two different diets per species. Feed composition varied substantially but erratically in lipid, vitamin A, vitamin E, and mineral […]
Indoor husbandry of the panther chameleon Chamaeleo [Furcifer] pardalis: Effects of dietary vitamins A and D and ultraviolet irradiation on pathology and life-history traits
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1996)15:33.3.CO;2-T To assess the importance of diet and light for indoor maintenance, hatchling panther chameleons were reared for 1 year on crickets fed diets that differed in vitamin concentrations and in different light environments. Dietary transfer of vitamins from the cricket diet to the lizards via the crickets was quantified, as was UV irradiance. […]
Captive husbandry and bioenergetics of the spiny butterfly ray, Gymnura altavela (Linnaeus)
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1996)15:23.3.CO;2-N Historically, gymnurid rays have not done well in a captive environment. This report describes success in maintaining two specimens of the spiny butterfly ray, Gymnura altavela, in captivity. An aggressive husbandry protocol of tube feeding and force feeding maintained energy levels until the rays began to feed on their own. The rays used […]
Influence of regional crossbreeding between rhesus macaques on the rate of weight gain of their offspring
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430130309.abs To evaluate potential heterosis resulting from breeding between rhesus macaques of Chinese and Indian origin in a captive social group, the rates of weight gain of Indian (nonhybrid) rhesus monkeys were compared with those of their hybrid (half Chinese/half Indian) peers. The coefficients for the linear regression of age on weight were estimated […]
Bioenergetics of the bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, maintained in captivity
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430130209.abs Understanding the energy requirements for captive sharks is important for their successful long-term maintenance. This information is critical in assessing the health of the animals and the suitability of their environment. We studied five bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) for up to 7 years in a 2.5 × 106 liter oceanarium. Individual animal feedings […]