Hand-rearing of a straw-colored fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) pup at Toronto Zoo
Citation
McGregor B and Gourlie S. 2023. Hand-rearing of a straw-colored fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) pup at Toronto Zoo. In Brooks M, Fidgett A, Kendrick E, Treiber K Eds. Proceedings of the Fifteenth Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition Foundation and AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Hybrid.
Abstract
On January 28, 2023, a male straw-colored fruit bat pup (Eidolon helvum) was orphaned at 2 days of age at Toronto Zoo. The pup, weighing 50 g, was determined to be in good health and the decision was made to hand rear. A formula using a combination of goat milk replacer and kangaroo milk replacer was used to target the nutrient compositions of other bat and flying fox species. LACTEEZE DROPS were initially added to the formula to mitigate potential issues with lactose and later reduced. The pup was gradually transitioned from feeding every 2 hours to longer intervals over 15 weeks to stimulate normal developmental milestones. The formula-to-water ratio was gradually increased to manage energy supply and growth and mimic changing nutrient compositions in milk of related species. Fruit puree (apple and pear) were introduced starting at 4 weeks of age. Larger fruit and vegetable pieces were introduced starting at 6 weeks of age. Daily produce amounts were gradually increased from week 7 to 15. At 13 weeks of age, ground Mazuri Softbill Diet was added to the diet. The pup exhibited an average daily growth rate of 1.6 grams per day from 0 to 16 weeks of age, following a typical growth curve for a straw-colored fruit bat. At week 16, the pup was reintroduced to 4 females and 2 parent reared juveniles. Body condition score and weight will be reassessed along with parent-reared pups to evaluate the success of the hand-rearing protocol before reintroduction to the larger colony in Summer 2023.
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