Application of existing domestic animal condition scoring systems for captive (zoo) animals

Citation

Bray RE, Edwards MS. 2001. Application of existing domestic animal condition scoring systems for captive (zoo) animals. In Edwards M, Lisi KJ, Schlegel ML, Bray RE, Eds., Proceedings of the Fourth Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Lake Buena Vista, FL.

Abstract

Quantifying body weight of captive wild animals has become one common assessment tool for evaluating general health. Although body weight is a very useful measurement, for most zoo animals the average body weight for stages of growth, pregnancy, or maintenance have yet to be defined. Another concern is that using weight alone, as a means of determining proper conditioning, is difficult. Subsequently, the experiences of zoo animal care personnel with captive and domestic animals have become an essential point of reference.

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