The effect of adding browse to the diet of moose (Alces alces) at the Toronto Zoo on their daily behaviour patterns

Citation

Shaw M, MacDonald S, Finegan E, Livingston S. 2005. The effect of adding browse to the diet of moose (Alces alces) at the Toronto Zoo on their daily behaviour patterns. In Graffam W, Hellinga D, Maslanka M, Ward A, Eds. Proceedings of the Sixth Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Omaha, NE.

Abstract

The Toronto Zoo has had moose in its collection since opening in 1974, and has since struggled with the issues of chronic diarrhea and Wasting Syndrome Complex that have been readily reported at other institutions. After numerous dietary alterations it was found that only by feeding limited amounts of an aspen–based concentrate, and no other food item, could these problems be minimized. This restricted diet does not allow the moose to consistently meet their energetic requirements, and results in poorly conditioned moose that still experience intermittent bouts of diarrhea. When more pellets are offered to improve body condition the moose develop severe diarrhea which continues until pellets are restricted again. Studies have indicated that moose should not be fed hay or be allowed to graze, and that they may only be kept successfully with substantial offerings of browse. Unfortunately, time and staffing only allow very limited amounts of browse to be offered once a week, from late spring to early fall. It has been hypothesized that adding significant levels of browse daily to the moose diet would improve the body condition and digestive health of these animals. The study described here was designed to quantify the effect of browse on the behaviour patterns of moose at the Toronto Zoo, in an effort to justify hiring summer staff dedicated to browse collection and preservation. A related study is currently underway to develop a technique to preserve browse for year round feeding.

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