Comparative Nutrition Department Sarah Burke Nutrition Manager Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Nutrition in Zoos Zoo Nutrition Traditionally filled by: Veterinarians Keepers Curatorial Staff Limited nutrition programs with PhD heads Only 7 of more than 200 AZA institutions Omaha St. Louis Indianapolis San Diego (2) Lincoln Park Brookfield Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Diet Formulation

Food Pyramids

Diet Formulations Scientific Guesswork?

There are always misfits?

Diet Preparation 6 full time employees 365 days year Approximately 500 diets prepped daily

How much food does it take per week? Bananas Apples Lettuce Meat Fish Hard boiled eggs 1,000 pounds 500 heads 1,500 pounds 1,000 pounds 1,100 eggs

Diet Formulation and Nutrient Analysis – Nutrition Laboratory Water, Minerals, Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate, Energy, Vitamins

Gorilla Diets Diet Breakdown 40% Mixed Greens 30 %Seasonal Vegetables 12% Biscuits 10% Seasonal Fruit 2% Oatmeal Patty 6% Alfalfa Hay Average Daily Amount of Food Females = 13 Lbs Males = 21 Lbs Male Gorilla Diet Moisture = 74% Protein = 6 % Fat = 1% Fiber = 8% Mineral = 8% Calories = 1.65 kcal/g

Health Issues with Gorilla Heart Disease Number 1 killer of male gorillas in zoos To help prevent issues…all gorillas are on a high fiber diet Obesity Do to the limited movement in zoos, gorillas tend to become obese. To help prevent this…enrichment activities are provided General Health Gorillas suffer many ailments similar to humans

Questions?