Feed intake and analysis of browse fed to Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Citation

Lintzenich B. 2007. Feed intake and analysis of browse fed to Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. In Ward A, Hunt A, Maslanka M, Eds. Proceedings of the Seventh Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Knoxville, TN.

Abstract

Even though Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) have been exhibited at 4 zoos in the U.S. for about 20 years, the diet is not well defined. Currently, the animals at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (CZBG) appear in good health and condition with successful reproduction consuming a diet of the following ingredient proportions: 9-18% produce, 76-83% ficus spp., 3-5% ZNN (Zoo Nutrition Network) herbivore, and 2-4% orchard grass/alfalfa hay as fed. The animals at CZBG consume their diet well but it is quite expensive to feed. Analyses of diets offered and consumed were compared to suggested nutrient levels for captive herbivores and horses indicating a few nutrients were below recommendations. Increasing the nutritionally complete pellet and hay may provide a diet meeting the suggested nutrient levels.

Lintzenich – INTAKE AND ANALYSIS OF BROWSE FED TO SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS {DICERORHINUS SUMATRENSIS) AT THE CINCINNATI ZOO AND BOTANICAL GARDEN.pdf     1 MB