Master Planning of Zoos - Central Zoo Authority

Proceedings of
Training Programme
Master Planning
of Zoos
l Ruminants like deer and non-ruminants like elephant with functional caecum
need large amount of roughages to keep the gastrointestinal tract efficient
and healthy. Lack of roughage may lead to constipation and telescoping of
intestines.
l Feed of big cats with only carcass meat without liver, bones, etc. may lead to
avitaminosis and mineral deficiency.
l Birds of prey need both roughages and minerals in addition to protein, so
they prefer whole animal food.
l Quantity of food required depends upon age, size, sex and physiological status
like pregnant and nursing mothers.
l Young and growing animals consume more quantity of food as they utilise
the food more efficiently and have greater requirement of vitamins, minerals
and energy producing food. They are more susceptible for nutritional
deficiency diseases.
l New born animals must receive colostrums (initial milk secretion).
l Feeders and water troughs should be arranged in such a way to avoid
contamination with faeces and urine.
l Adequate hygienic storage of food, zoo kitchen, food preparation and
distribution facilities must be ensured.
l Spoilage of stored items of food by rats, insects etc. must be avoided by
proper storage facilities
l There are group feeders (deer and antelope) and individual feeders (tiger,
panther etc.)
l Nocturnal feeders (Indian pangolin, slow loris, etc.) and diurnal feeders
(monkeys).
l Continuous feeders (Gallinaceous birds) and occasional feeders (king cobra,
Indian python etc.)
l Most of the zoo animals are euryphagous (those that eat varied diet) and
others are stenophagous (those that eat specialised diet). Some others are
monophagous (eating one particular kind of food).
l Presentation of food is equally important as it affects the intake of food e.g.
giraffe, flamingo etc.
l To avoid injuries due to fighting or otherwise and to ensure proper intake of
food -they should be fed accordingly.
l Clean water from protected water supply system may be ensured for prevention
of water borne health problems.
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