Hazardous compounds accumulate in plants and animals as a result of anthropogenic impact. Trace elements, such as heavy metals, move up in the system of snow – soil – water – plant – animal. When contaminants accumulate in plants that serve as animal feed, they eventually accumulate in the animals that consume the feed because heavy metals usually enter living organisms via digestive tract, i.e., with food. In 2003–2021, we studied fodder plants grown and harvested by urban zoological organizations, e.g., zoos, nature corners, etc. This research covered the Central Federal District represented by the cities of Moscow, Ivanovo, Yaroslavl, and Uglich. The empirical part of the study relied on a combination of modern ecological, biochemical, and statistical methods. A KVANT-2AT atomic absorption spectrometer was used to define the trace elements and their quantities. Broccoli proved to be the most resistant feed vegetable to all the toxic elements in this study. Kohlrabi, sweet potato, and dill had low content of lead and cadmium, while garlic was highly resistant to cadmium and arsenic. Spinach, fennel, potatoes, beets, and bell peppers, which were used as fodder in metropolis conditions, exceeded the maximal permissible concentration of heavy metals. The samples obtained from the Moscow Zoo contained by 1.98 times more zinc, by 1.06 times more copper, and by 89.47 times more lead than average. The samples from Ivanovo accumulated the greatest extent of iron, which exceeded the average level by 3.26 times. The vegetables from Uglich and Ivanovo had the lowest concentration of zinc, which was by 67.86 and 62.70% below the average, respectively. The samples from Yaroslavl contained by 33.08% less copper. In 2003–2021, feed vegetables grown in the Central Federal District had an average increase in zinc, copper, and lead by 1.13, 1.45, and 2.80 times, respectively. The level of iron stayed almost the same throughout 2018–2021, while that of arsenic gradually decreased in concentration. The accumulation level of zinc, copper, iron, and arsenic in feed vegetables appeared to depend on the concentration of their water-soluble metal forms in the soil. Therefore, forage agriculture in urban areas requires constant chemical and toxicological tests to prevent contaminated feed from entering animal diet.

The monograph discusses the uses of game animals in the historical pre-Soviet, Soviet, and post-Soviet periods. Is addresses some issues of ecological and population genetics, valuates hunting resources, and provides mathematical models for predicting hunting trends for major game animals. The monograph is intended for students and academics of agricultural and biological universities and may be of interest to those engaged in forestry, agri-culture, and hunting.

Urbanization leads to chemical pollution. Contaminants accumulate in feed and enter animal body through digestive tract. Numerous studies have established that the level of mineral content in the environment reflects the technogenic load on the territory and is transmitted in the system through products of plant and animal origin, which can be used to prevent and correct elementoses. This research featured feathers of Indian peafowls Pavo cristatus (n = 33), diet components (n = 303), their drinking water (n = 94), soil (n = 123), and snow (n = 204). The micro-elemental profile was defined using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The samples were obtained from zoological institutions of Mosco w, Ivanovo, and Yaroslavl. As for the feathers, the average Zn accumulation level was 122.74 ± 9.64 mg/kg, Cu – 5.36 ± 0.05 mg/kg, Fe – 508.06 ± 56.84 mg/kg, Pb – 6.75 ± 1.13 mg/kg, Cd – 1.65 ± 0.26 mg/kg, and As – 0.61 ± 0.23 mg/kg. The variability of the concentration of microelements in the sample was as follows, %: Zn – 73.9, Cu – 94.3, Fe – 111.6, Pb – 150.0, Cd – 136.88, and As – 203.87. The average levels of accumulation of elements in the biological media decreased in the following order: Fe > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd > As. The share of Zn in the total of all determined elements was 0.7–48.0%, Cu – 0.04–2.8%, Fe – 46.2–92.8%, Pb – 0–2.5%, Cd – 0–2.5%, and As – 0–4.6%. The diet analyses showed the following results for Moscow, Ivanovo, and Yaroslavl, respectively: Zn – 11.35, 6.60, and 2.50 mg; Cu – 2.29, 0.75, and 0.41 mg; Fe – 55.83, 30.54, and 6.78 mg; Pb – 0.14, 0.18, and 0.01 mg; Cd – 0.02, 0.01, and 0.005 mg; As – 0.04, 0.02, and 0.002 mg. If the birds consumed all the food they received, the approximate total daily intake of the selected essential microelements Zn was 16.7–75.7% of the recommended daily intake, Cu – 13.7–76.3%, and Fe – 48.4–398.79%. Pb, Cd and As stayed within the daily norm. The oral route of intake was registered for Zn, Cu, and Fe in Yaroslavl and for Cd in all samples. Inhalation was registered as the main route of intake for Fe in Moscow and Ivanovo, as well as for As and Pb in Moscow. The highest intake of Pb was registered in Ivanovo and Yaroslavl. The analysis revealed the multi-route and multi-environment exposure of urban birds to microelements, including heavy metals. The level of concentration of essential microelements in the biological media depended on the diet. Fe in Moscow and Ivanovo and As in all the samples came from the soil cover, which had a high content of these elements. The gross content of Pb in the soil samples from Moscow and the drinking water from Yaroslavl and Ivanovo demonstrated the greatest impact on the avian organism. The snow samples had the least effect on the el emental status of the bioenvironments.

Pheasants are game birds that feed on many insect pest species. The study of the pheasant food spectrum, especially in the autumn and winter period, is relevant and can be used to assess the food supply of birds in natural habitats and form the diet when they are bred in captivity. The authorities of the Stavropol Region try to preserve pheasant diversity and rationalize its use. In this respect, pheasants’ autumn-winter diet in natural environment is an important research subject that can help poultry farmers. The research featured the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) inhabiting various biotopes of the Stavropol Territory. The visual food spectrum analysis was based on the stomachs of birds killed by hunters in October–January 2011–2021. The morning and evening visual observation included eight observation points located on linear routes and stationary sites of the Stavropol Territory. The analysis featured 94 stomachs obtained from the Stepnoye area and 28 stomachs from other areas of the Stavropol Region. Matured seeds and grains represented more than 50% of the stomach content and included wheat, corn, narrow-leaved oleaster, etc. Some samples contained a large number of ants with a minimal content of other foods. In the Central Ciscaucasia, pheasants inhabit communal gardens, river valleys, agricultural fields, and forest belts. Nowadays, they can be found in urban areas, where they prefer quasi-natural habitats, e.g. green backyards overgrown with such thorny bushes as oleaster, sea buckthorn, blackberry, blackthorn, wild rose, etc. Pheasants are omnivorous; their autumn and winter diet includes cultivated and wild fruits and seeds, as well as insect larvae.

Introduction. A herd of zeboid cattle was created by the Snegiri Scientific and Experimental Farm (Moscow region, Russia) as a result of long-term selection and crossbreeding zebu (Bos indicus L.) with cattle (Bos taurus L.). These hybrid cows have good physiological parameters, high resistance to diseases, and a significant adaptive potential. The quality of milk produced by zebu cows at different lactation and milking times has not been studied as well as their milking capacity. Therefore, we aimed to assess the variability of specific physicochemical indicators of milk produced by Snegiri’s zeboid dairy herd. Study objects and methods. The milk of 193 zeboid cows (6–12% of zebu blood) from the Snegiri Farm was analyzed by standard methods for quality indicators such as fat, nonfat milk solids, density, bound water, freezing point, protein, and lactose. Then, we determined how these indicators changed depending on the lactation number and the time of milking (morning/evening). Statistical analysis was applied to process the data. Results and discussion. Such indicators as nonfat milk solids, density, bound water, freezing point, protein, and lactose of zeboid cow milk were consistent with the normal indicators for raw cow’s milk. Only its fat content (4.39%) exceeded the norm. We found no correlation between the quality of milk and the number of lactations. However, the evening milk was more concentrated, with a significant increase in nonfat milk solids and density, as well as with a lower freezing point. Conclusion. Zeboid cows, which can be bred in suboptimal conditions, produce milk suitable for dairy products since it has a high fat content regardless of lactation and milking time.