Advancing zoo animal nutrition through global synergy

Abstract

Global communication and dissemination of information are two fundamental factors that are necessary to advance zoo animal nutrition. To achieve global synergy for nutrition, regional needs must be identified, modified for zoo application and linked through the proper Internet portals so that the information is readily available to the international zoo community. For all groups of animals, the continued development of food composition databases, updated as and when more information becomes available, is an important part of this desired synergy. If balanced nutrition for wild animals in captivity at a global level is to be achieved, then a heightened recognition of the value of implementing science‐based nutrition into animal‐management programmes and enhanced levels of electronic communication are essential.

Sustainable food procurement in British and Irish zoos

“…Both of these indicators scored highly, in practice and as priorities, in both food supply chains. Nutritional content also scored highly in each -reflecting its importance for humans (Maloni and Brown, 2006) and animals (Dierenfeld, 2005) -but with a marked difference in score between the operational areas.…”

“…Both of these indicators scored highly, in practice and as priorities, in both food supply chains. Nutritional content also scored highly in each -reflecting its importance for humans (Maloni and Brown 2006) and animals (Dierenfeld, 2005) -but with a marked difference in score between the operational areas. Traceability and Fairtrade foods were two further indicators that achieved high scores in the human food supply chain, with the latter being the top priority for social sustainability.…”

“…Of the seven that were not, however, four concerned two issues -Fairtrade food and nutritional content. The significance of the latter to animal food reflects the central place of nutrition in modern animal collections (Dierenfeld, 2005), while with human food there is an element of consumer choice. The significance of Fairtrade food for the human food supply chains also illustrated the importance of consumer choice here (Swannie Sigsgaard, 2009), despite zoos' animal collections consuming significant quantities of fresh fruit, that could, potentially, be Fairtrade certified.…”