Modifying avian feeding strategies to provide foraging opportunity, allow for contrafreeloading and improve the health of collection birds

Citation

Vine C. 2005. Modifying avian feeding strategies to provide foraging opportunity, allow for contrafreeloading and improve the health of collection birds. 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 Philadelphia Zoological Gardens opened its gates to the public in 1874. At that time, zoo animals rarely survived more than several years in their captive environments. Little was known about the natural diet and behaviors of these wild animals, and keepers typically provided their charges with a variety of inappropriate food items. Nutrition programs for zoo animals simply did not exist.

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