Master Planning of Zoos - Central Zoo Authority

Technical Session III
• Impact of improper housing on health among zoo animals can be minimised
or eliminated by providing suitable housing facilities meeting all the biological
needs, behaviour and physical activities like jumping, climbing, swimming,
burrowing etc.
• This can be achieved through enrichment of the animal enclosures to meet
the needs of the species under display.
• Unlike the animals in the wild, zoo animals suffer from lack of activity leading
to boredom and stress resulting in poor health, stereotypic movements, aberrant
sexual behaviour, abnormal maternal care, self injury, etc.
• Behavioural abnormalities and physiological stress increases susceptibility
to diseases and affect their health & breeding.
Examples
• Hard ground for hoofed animals to avoid excessive growth of hooves.
• Soft ground for soft footed animals to avoid sore paw.
• Trees or logs for sharpening the claws of wild cats to avoid injury to foot pad
due to curved-in condition of claws.
• Hiding places like dens, burrows, pools, caves, bushes etc. to hide or escape to
overcome stress from fear/disturbances of visitors/intruders must be provided.
• Materials for stimulating activity like play objects, vegetation, trees, swings,
raised platforms, sand, soil, etc. may be provided.
Feeding
l Animals in the wild have the freedom to gather and eat their choicest food
items from innumerable flora, fauna, mineral and water sources available in
wild to meet their requirements.
l In contrast the animals in captivity are dependant upon the food supplied to them.
l Selection of diet of zoo animals depends upon the feeding behaviour and
nutritional requirement. They may be carnivorous, herbivorous, omnivorous,
frugivorous, insectivorous, etc.
l Adequate quantity of nutritious species-specific food is a must for maintenance
of good health and vitality, satisfactory reproductive status and ability to
withstand diseases and ward off nutritional stress.
l If the food is not suitable it may lead to digestive and nutritional disorders.
l Therefore, the diet selection should be proximate to the natural diet of the
involved species as in the wild.
Quality, quantity and kind of food have a direct bearing on health.
So food should be: Hygienic, Clean and fresh, Palatable and adequate,
nutritious, must meet the physiological & psychological needs, regularity of
timely supply
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