Philadelphia zoo plant information database

Citation

Jelinger AM and Toddes BD. 2021. Philadelphia zoo plant information database. In Brooks M, Koutsos E, and Henry B Eds. Proceedings of the Fourteenth Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition Foundation and AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Virtual.

Abstract

At the Philadelphia Zoo (PZ) a database was initiated to consolidate the various collections of plant data from different departments – primarily nutrition, veterinary, and horticulture – to create one searchable document. The database has expanded tremendously and now has two main components. The first is a vast excel sheet that includes things such as basic plant information and links to innumerable resources. The second component is a series of detailed reports consisting of in-depth literature reviews which focus on safety, edibility, and toxicity. These reports reflect the PZ’s needs. In this capacity, the database has been utilized for exhibit plantings, keeper training, and approving plants for the browse program.

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