ruminants comprise the majority of pregastric fermenters (cattle, sheep, deer, antelope. giraffe, etc.)

non-ruminant pregastric fermenters - dont chew cud, hippopotamus, kangaroos, colobus, and langur monkeys

by processing/fermenting plant material in a pregastric compartment ruminants and other pregastric fermenters have the ability to detoxify certain compounds which are toxic to other herbivores

have an increased ability to utilize cellulose and are able to absorb microbial protein effectively as fermentation occurs proximal to the true gastric stomach and small intestine

must be properly dried to retain nutrients and avoid spoilage

minimal dry matter content 85% (if greater than 93% the leaves shatter and nutrient loss occurs)

sun-curing increases vitamin D2 content but there is a concomintant loss of vitamin A

grasses (Poaceae) and legumes (Fabaceae), legumes fix nitrogen from air and are higher in protein/calcium

legume/grass mixes are commonly used to provide a more balanced diet

specific species and varieties vary depending on regional climate

varies by region

selenium is commonly deficient in hay and grain if it is not found in the soil and must be supplemented (mineral blocks)

cobalt, molybdenum, iodine, and iron content also vary by region

similar to extruded diets fed to carnivores and omnivores but less processed

individual ingredients may be identifiable and they tend to have slightly more moisture

may/may not be based on research and may/may not meet the nutritional needs of species for which they are marketed

it is often not enough on its own to meet nutritional requirements at all life stages

(can supplement with pellets formulated to complement pasture)

characterized by gas accumulation in reticulo-rumen (first two chambers in ruminants)

most common is frothy bloat - foam or froth forms bubbles that cannot be eructated

common from consuming immature legumes (high protein and low in fiber)

young growing forages high in vit E compounds

vit E deficiency can be compounded with Se (selenium) deficiency and results in necrotizing myopathy of skeletal and cardiac muscle (white muscle disease), resorption of fetus, impaired immuune function, gastric ulceration, retinal degenertion, degeneration of testicular epithelium encephalomalacia, and erythrocyte hemolysis (destruction of RBCs)

(inflammation of the rumen)

typical of rapid fermentation of dietary carbohydrates with subsequent production of lactic acid.

concentrate diets high in carbohydrates are a cause

increasing fiber in diet provides a scratch factor that can help

in extreme cases ulcers in rumen wall allow bacteria to pass into blood.

common forage grass used in pasture due to hardiness and adaptability

some cultivars are infected with fungal endophyte which is toxic to herbivores

elevated temp, lack f blood flow to extremities (fescue foot)

enteroliths are stones, concretions or calculi tht form in the intestine and results in a condition called enterolithitis

common in domestic/wild equids (horse family)

result in large intestinal environment with increased mineral content and an alkaline pH (too high protein diets leading to increase free ammonia, or high magnesium/phosphorus, or alfalfa hay)

aggegates of mineral crystals that have precipitated from urine and formed macroscopically visible uroliths (stones) within the urinary tract

considered primary nutritional disease

often in young ruminants castrated at early age and fed high concentrate diets (1:1 Ca:P or high magnesium)

also result of limited water supply

lack the enzyme needed to metabolize carotene, obtained from plants, into vitamin A. These animals obtain their vit A from the liver of their prey

unable to synthesize some fatty acids

no, it is not properly balanced to meet nutrient requirements (calcium deficient and not balanced in several other essential nutrients) ...

in the wild they consume whole prey, including contents of intestines and digesta (bones)

rickets

supplement with with multivitamin and minerals

comprise a variety of raw animal components (muscle, organs, and fat) supplement with various other ingredients, such as vitamins and minerals

highly perishable

rodents, lagomorphs, poultry, and fish are the most common

body comp varies with age (older= reduction in lean body mass and concomitant increase in fat)

highly nutritious by very little calcium (exoskeletons)

must give supplements or (osteomalacia and rickets are a concern)

gut-loading crickets with high Ca

 Taurine is involved in fetal development, growth, reproduction, neuromodulation, sight, hearing, cardiac function, osmoregulation, disease resistance, and excretion of bile acids

weakened and enlarged heart (dialated cardiomyopathy... in cats and some dogs

problem in bears fed dog food

metabolic bone diseases

common in many zoo animals but identification/diagnosis difficult

evidence suggests that some carivores cannot use UVB light to synthesize vit D in their skin (require it in the diet- vit rather than hormone)

they have 1/3 the fiber which means they are mostly sugar

bad for zoo animals

very common in primates (sig cause of death in gorillas)

hypercholesterolemia is a major factor, also the amount/character of fat in the diet

diet-related (high cholesterol) susceptibility to arthrosclerosis (fatty deposits narrow the arteries)

captive omnivores, specificallyapes, have high propensity to develop diabetes (high blood sugar)

paying attention to they glycemic index (how quickly blood sugar levels rise after eating) of foods and feeding more fiber may help prevent diabetes

nutrition has major effect on immune function

dietary zinc deficiency appears to be responsible, at least in part, for a whole host of immunodeficiencies

selenium, vitamin D, vit E, and B vits all play a role

hepatic iron overload

excessive absorption of iron

relatively common in captive lemurs

diagnosed by liver biopsy

diets for susceptible animals should be high enough in iron to meet requirements but not higher

these animals do not properly absorb cystine in the kidney leading to high levels of cystine

under acidic urine conditions cystine is not soluble leading to crystal formation

maned wolves in US fed diets high in red meat (higher in amino acids including cystine)

-more omnivorous in the wild, and Europe zoos)

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point

program, a systematic approach used for human food safety can be adapted to zoo animal food managment

-detect potential hazards/risks within system

-identify critical points (CCPs) in process (point at which a failure could cause harm)

-where are the hazards

-establish critical limits

-establish critical control points (CCP) monitoring procedures/protocols

-establish methods of record keeping (dating)

-find ways to verify the methods of monitoring

secondary metabolites of mold fungi

aflatoxins can result from high moisture in corn (maize) and other grains

microbial contamination

E. coli, salmonella, streptoccus, listeria, campylobacter, toxic weeds in hay or other forages

in refrigeration

in closed, sealed container

also under cold running water for quick thaw, never thaw at room temperature

avoid 41-135 F (5-60 C) danger zone

-chlorine solution for 20 seconds or 1 minute depending on ppm

-iodine solution for one mintue

-quaternary ammonia for 1 minute

-detergent solution followed by disinfectant, following the correct contact time

-air dry

transfer of harmful microorganisms from one food to another by means of nonfood surface...

use high heat dishwasher (71.2 C)

bright-red gills, prominent eyes, and firm and elastic flesh...

if not then they are probably refrozen (dull, have cloudy red-bordered eyes and soft flesh)

stored no more than 1 year (even if deep freeze)

sample conduced once a year for nutrient analysis and microbial loads

 no longer than a year because vitamisn begin degrading as soon as the plants are cut

store in dry, well ventilated area

more people visit zoos/aquariums than all professional sporting events combined

(600 million worldwide in 2004)

shift toward more interactive exhibits with high tech animatrons ....

interactive multimedia exhibits ore enjoyable but expensive and do not make best use of zoos' unique assets (living collection)

shift from cognitive type learning (factul knowledge) to affective domain (feelings and attitudes)

allowing interactions

goal to provide opportunities to develop empathy that can hopefully change behaviior on the part of the visitor

-know the audience

-teaching about conservation must be age specific

-interactive experiences are better than passive experiences, people are better than signs

-animals are key differentiators (live over fake some more attractive than others)

-well-informed, thoughful anthropomorphism is ok

-natural environments provide strong positive effects

-certain activities make behavior changes more likely

two factors: incentives and social support

practice makes perfect

personal relevance

making a public promise or statement of intent increases likelyhood of behavior change

establishing new social norms is key

appeared around 4300 BP in city of Ur, in what is now southern Iraq, only about 1000 years after appearance of world's first farming villages

collections kept by kings as displays of power for select social elite

the London zoo

also first to be designed after scientific principles

-animal requirements

-space/time

-visitor/staff needs

-new ways of doing things

-basic essentials

Permanent Post Entry Quarantine

-manure from these animals need to be sterilized before leaving zoo grounds