Feeding practices for captive greater kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) in UK collections as compared to diets of free-ranging specimens

Diet-related disorders occur frequently in captive browsing ruminants. To assess current feeding practices, diets of 15 captive greater kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) from three zoological collec-tions were compared to that of free-ranging conspecifics and current feeding recommendations. Dry matter intake (DMI) varied considerably in captivity from 49.2 to 75.7 g dry matter kg BM-0.75 d-1. Roughage intake determined DMI; with a low DMI associated with low body condition scores (BCS). Compared to free-ranging kudus with diets of 11.1-14.2% crude protein (CP), only one collection had a diet with a similar CP concentration (13.0%), the other collections providing diets with CP of 15.1-16.8%. Acid detergent fibre (ADF) in the zoo diets was comparable to that in the diet of free-ranging animals (24.729.4%), but the latter consumed diets with less cellulose and more lignin. In addition, faecal consistency scores (FS) were positively correlated with dietary CP and faecal nitrogen, and negatively with faecal ADF, indicating that higher proportions of highly digestible feeds caused softer faeces. In total, only four of fifteen captive individuals had normal BCS 3.0 and FS 1.0. These results suggest that diets fed to captive browsing ruminants are too digestible, even in terms of fibre compo-sition. Recommendations for higher CP may be unnecessary. Providing browse and high quality lu-cerne hay may increase the proportion of roughages in the diet and overall DMI to meet require-ments and recommendations. To balance the diet and reduce digestibility, the pellets should have lower levels of CP, starch and sugar, and a higher level of fibre, particularly lignin. Posted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich ZORA URL: https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-79617 Originally published at: Taylor, L A; Schwitzer, C; Owen-Smith, Norman; Kreuzer, M; Clauss, Marcus (2013). Feeding practices for captive greater kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) in UK collections as compared to diets of free-ranging specimens. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, 1(1):7-13. Feeding practices for captive greater kudus Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 1(1) 2013 7 Research Article Feeding practices for captive greater kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) in UK collections as compared to diets of free-ranging specimens Lucy A. Taylor, Christoph Schwitzer, Norman Owen-Smith, Michael Kreuzer and Marcus Clauss Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation, c/o Bristol Zoo Gardens, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3HA, United Kingdom Centre for African Ecology, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits 2050, South Africa Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Universitätsstrasse 2, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland *Corresponding author: [email protected]