WILDLIFE NUTRITION AND FEEDING
-R Hemanth Kumar Dir. Kanpur Zoo
Introduction:
In their natural environment wild species have little need for supplementary
feeding as their free ranging habits enable them to pursue more nutritious
grazing and therefore satisfy their nutritional requirements. But in case of Zoo
animals their total feed requirements have to be met.
With the exception of zebra, elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, the
larger herbivorous game are classified as ruminants. Game species would (in the
habitat to which they are adapted) select a diet with a digestibility in accordance
with their feeding habits and are thus classified accordingly (Hofmann (1973) :
 bulk and roughage eaters (grazers) characterized by capacious
stomachs normally filled to capacity with relatively low-quality feed
composed mostly of grass;
 selectors of juicy, concentrated herbage (browsers) characterized by small
stomachs normally filled to only 50-60% of their capacity, but with
concentrated food composed mostly of leaves, flowers and fruits of forbs,
shrubs and trees (concentrate feeders);
 intermediate feeders (herbivores that eat both grass and leaves) which
are not strictly intermediate between the previous two groups but have the
ability to adapt in different seasons and places towards one or the other of
the above two feeding types, i.e. they have greater ability to tolerate
variations in the quality of their diet.
Bulk grazers are defined as large, essentially grazing animals, which normally
do not exercise a high degree of selection. Concentrate grazers are generally
small animals (less than 200 kg mean individual live weight), which are
predominantly grazers. However, they may include any grazing animal, which
exercises some or other form of extreme selective defoliation. Browsers are
animals, which feed mostly on the leaves, flowers and fruits of woody plants and
forbs.
Adverse effects of malnutrition in captive animals:
Malnutrition in captive animals results in
 Deficiency symptoms (due to mineral deficiency)
 Stunted growth
 Effecting the reproductive potential of animals
 Increased frequency in neonatal and post natal deaths
 Increased Disease susceptibility etc.
How to overcome it
In order to overcome problems related to the nutritional disorders the Zoo
administration should formulate the diet chart of the animals and reviewing it
periodically is very important. While formulating the diet chart for different
animals care be taken on the following aspects
A useful approach when formulating diets for wild animals is to consider
their
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Dietary habits in the wild,
Oral and gastrointestinal morphology and physiology needs of
similar species whose requirements are known, and
Environmental features that affect energy and nutrient need.
Collection of information on natural food preference provides an indication
as to nutrient intakes and whether the diets are high or low in protein, fiber or
secondary plant metabolites, which may influence acceptability, digestibility or
metabolism.
Oral anatomy and gastrointestinal tract morphology have a high
correlation with natural diet. The presence of a rumino-reticulum suggests that
qualitative nutrient requirements are similar to those of cattle and sheep, with
significant syntheses of amino acids and B-vitamins. If the gut has a cecum and
sacculated colon, capacious enough to support microbial fermentation, nutrient
needs are likely to be similar to those of the horse. A simple stomach with limited
lower gut space for microbial activity is similar to that of the pig (Ullrey, 1988).
Thus, one can extrapolate nutrient requirements from domestic species with
known needs to wild species with known needs to wild species that are similar in
dietary habits and gastrointestinal structure and function.
Some important animals of Kanpur Zoological Park their feeding habits
in the wild and the feed given to these animals in some important
Zoological Parks of India
Family Cervidae: It includes 6 native deer species, namely chital (Axis
axis), hog deer (Axis porcinus), sambar (Gervus unicolor), barasingha/swamp
deer (Gervus duvaucell), sangai/ Manipur deer (Gervus eldi eldi), hangul (Gervus
elaphus hanglu), and barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak).
Chital (Axis axis)
They live in forests interspersed with open lands so that they can rest in the
shady grooves and feed in the meadows. Schaller (1967) explicated more
precisely that Chitals are characteristically animals of the forest edge and of open
glades and woodlands, with shade, water, and a good under story of tender
grasses being requisites. In winter and summer months, the peak feeding activity
is in the early dawn and in late dusky periods of the day. During rainy season
feeding is also in the cool hours of the day.
Chitals feed mainly on short and tender grasses, herbs, shrubs and fallen
leaves and can stand on their hind legs to pluck leaves and fruits from height of
up to six feet from the ground.
The species consumes grasses the most. Commelina, Desmodium,
Pseudoarthria, Solanum, and Mimosa are the preferred grass species. Schaller
(1967) studied food habits and food preferences of the species in Kanha National
Park (Madhya Pradesh). He mentioned eight species of grasses; eight species of
grass-like plants, 32 browse species and 8 types of fruits consumed by the
Chitals.
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Details are presented in the following table
Grass and grass like plants eaten and probably eaten by wild ungulates in
Kanha Park (Schaller, 1967)
Species
Chital
Barasingha
Sambar
Gaur
Bothriochloa odorata
Chloris dolicostachya
Chrysopogon fulvus
Coix lachrymajobi
Cyperus iria
Cyperus pangorei
Dendrocalamus strictus
Digitaria granufaris
Echinochloa colona
Eragrostis gangetica
Fimbristylis dichotoma
Heleocharis fistulosa
Heteropogon contorus
Imperata cylindrica
Oryza latifolia
Panicum miliare
Saccharum spontaneum
Setaria glauca
Themeda triandra
Thysanofaena maxima
Vetiveria zizanioides
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
-
X
X
X
X
X
Present and probably eaten:
Andropogon brevifolius
Andropogon monticofa
Andropogon serratus
Apluda mutica
Arthraxon ciliaris
Arundo donax
Cyperus exaltatus
Cyperus pa/testylis
Fimbristylis ferrugirea
Scirpus capillaries
Spodiopogon rhizophorus
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Iseilema laxum
Lipocarpha argentea
Manisuris granularis
Opfismenus burmanii
Paspalum scrobiculatum
Pennisetum afopecurus
Pennisetum setosum
Eragrostis unidoides
Hemarthria compressa
Scleria stocksiana
Sporobulus diander
Table: Browse species eaten by wild ungulates in Kanha Park (Schaller,
1967)
Species
Acacia torta
Bauhinea racemosa
Bembax malabaricum
Bridelia squamosa
Casearia graveo/ens
Cassia fistula
Combretum fIagrocarpum
Cordia myxa
Diospyros malanoxylon
Ehretia laevis
Emblica officinalis
Eugenia vulgaris
Ficus glomerata
Ficus gobosa
Gardenia latifolia
Gmelina arborea
Grewia abutilifo/ia
Miliusa tomentosa
Miliusa velutina
Mallotus philippinensis
Odina wodier
Shorea robusta
Stereospermum cheonoides
Syzygium cuminii
Terminalia alata
Terminalia arjuna
Terminalia chebula
Terminalia tomenlosa
Xeromphis uliginosa
Zizyphus xylophorus.
Shrubs
Dalbergia rubiginosa
Diospyros tomentosa
Embelia tseriamcottam
Kydia calycina
Moghania stricta
Ougeinia oojenensis
Pavetta indica
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Chital
X
X
F
Barasingha
Sambar
X
X
X
X, f
Gaur
X
X
X
X
f
X
X
f
X, f
X
F
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X, f
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X, f
X, f
X
X
X
X
X
Phoenix humilis
X
Schrebera swientenioides
Sterculia foetida
Wrightia tinctoria
X
Zizyphus jujube
X
Vines
Asparagus racemosus
Bauhinea vahlii
Crypto/epis buchanani
Dioscorea bu/bifera
X
Smilax seylanica
X
Forbs
Barringtonia acutangula
X
B/umea fistulosa
X
Blumea glomerata
X
B/umea virens
Cratalaria sericea
X
Curcuma ferruginea
Elephantopus scaber
X
Laggera fIava
X
Lepidagathis fasciculata
Leucas mollissima
Naias sp.
pogostemon plectranthoides
Pimpinella heyneana
X
Triumfetta rhomboidea
X
Vernonia divergens
Note: X= leaf eaten, f= fruit eaten
X
X
X
X
X
X, f
X
X
X
X
Tak and Lamba (1984) observed that grasses grazed during January to
June by chitals in and around Dhikala base camp of Corbett National Park,
Uttaranchal included: Aplude mutica, Arundinella bengalensis, Chloris
delichostechya (Pengi), sopogon mantanus (Genoria), Chrysopogon serrulstus
(Bhuri), Cynodon dactylon (Dub), Oendrocalamus strictus (Bans), Heteropogon
contortos (Kumeria, Girwala), Imperata cylindrica (Pula, Sirhi), Saccharum
bengalensis, Saccharum munja (Munj), Saccharum spontaneum (Kans), Setaria
species (Ballu), Themeda arundinacea Serkanda, Ula) and Vetiveria zizanioides
(Khas, Gamara). The following table lists the main plant species browsed by the
chitals in the park.
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Table: Plant species commonly browsed by the Chitals in Corbett National
Park (Tak and Lamba, 1984)
Species/ local name
Ageratum conyzoides
Bombax ceiba (Semal)
Cordiadichotoma
(Libherasmall
tree)
Cordiamyxa (Lissora)
Ficus bengalensis (Bar, Barged)
F. religosa (Pipal)
F. ratusa (Lakar)
F. rumphii(Pilkhan)
Fimbristylissquarrosa (herb)
Glynus lotides(Piluherb)
Glycosmis arbores (Phalse)
Grewiasapida (herb)
Holarrhana antidysentrica (Safeda,
Kura)
Lantana camara (Lantana, Kuri)
Murrayakoeniqii
(Kari-patta,Jal
neem)
Polygonium polbsium (Kachnar)
Philiostimamalabaricum (Kachnar)
Nerium odorum (Kaner)
Nerium indicum (Kaner)
Murrayapaniculata (Kamini)
Solanum nigrium(Mukai-shrub)
Golanum varium (JangliBegan)
Shorea robusta (Sal)
Gyxyaium cumini (Jamun)
Terminaliaalata (Asna)
T. belirica(Bahera)
T. tomentosa (Asna)
Family
Portion eaten
Asteracea
Bombacoceae
Ehretieceae
Leaves
Leaves,
petals.
Leaves
Ehretiaceae
Moraceae
Moraceae
Moraceae
Moraceae
Cyperaceae
Aepoaceae
Rutaceae
Tiliaceae
Apocynaceae
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Verbenaceae
Rutaceae
Young shoots
Leaves
Polygonaceae
Fabaceae
Apocynaceae
Apocynaceae
Rutaceae
Solanaceae
Solanaceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Mystaceae
Combretaceae
Combretaceae
Combretaceae
Leaves
Leaves, flowers
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
flowers,
Food of Chitals recorded in Betla, Palamau National Park (Mitra, 1983)
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Trees
1.
2.
3.
4.
5
6:
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Grasses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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Cassia fistula, Leaves\(June-Dec.); fruits (July-Aug.)
Cardia myxo: Leaves (round the year).
Syzigium cumini: Leaves (round the year).
Shorea robusta: Leaves (round the year); influorescence (FebuaryMarch).
Terminalia tomentosa: Leaves (round the year); fruit (January February).
Terminalia bellerica; Leaves (round the year): fruit (January February)
Terminalia chebula: Leaves (round the year); fruit (November February)
Ageratum conyzoides : Leayes (December-January)
Sterculia urens: Leaves (October - December): fruit (March - April)
Garuga pinata: Fruit (June - August)
Bombax ceiba: Leaves (round the year).
Mallotusphillpinensis:Leaves (round the year)
Aegle mormelos:Leaves (roundthe year):fruit (March- April)
Ambellica sp: Leaves (round the year).
Chloris infortinata
Heteropogon contortus
Dendrocalamus strictus
Saccarum spontaneum
Aplaudo mutica
Chroysopogon sp.
Barasingha I Swamp deer (Cervus duvaucell)
Two sub-species known are Gervus duvauceli duvauceli inhabiting Tarai
and Gervus duvauceli branderi inhabiting Central India. The total population of
both the races presently is nearly 4000. The Tarai race is found in Uttar Pradesh
(Dudwa National Park, Kishanpur and Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuaries, and
Pilibhit and Hastinapur forests) and Assam (Manas and Kaziranga National
Parks). The Central Indian race now is restricted to Kanha National Park in
Madhya Pradesh.
The species is pure grazer. Observations of Singh (1982) on feeding
behaviors are presented. Swamp deer are more diurnal. They feed till late in the
morning and evening and between periods retire to safe places. In summer the
deer are active at night and during the day they spend the hot period lying on the
open ground preferably under shady trees.
Grasses preferred by both the races of Barasingha have been studied and
the observations are presented in table 6 (a) (Singh,1982) and table (Martin,
1975). In Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudwa National Park they also feed
on floating as well as submerged aquatic vegetation. Chara and Typha agustota
are found to be the main plants eaten throughout the year. During the dry season
the deer feed on Cynodon dactylon existing at the banks of natural water bodies.
Grasses preferred as food by swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli duvauceli) in
different seasons of a year in Dudwa National Park (Uttar Pradesh)
S.No
Species
Cool
Season
Dry
Season
Rainy
Season
1
Apluda mutica
++
+
-
2
Bothriochloa
odorata
+++
++
++
3
Cymbopogon
soanthus
+
+
-
4
Cymbopogon
warancusa
+
+
-
5
Cynodon dactylon
+
+++
-
6
Cyperus niveus
++
++
+
7
Imperata cylindrica
+++
+++
+++
8
Phragmites karka
++
+++
+
9
Saccharum munja
++
++
-
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10
Saccharum
spontanum
+
++
-
11
Sclerostachya
Fusca
++
+++
-
12
Themeda triandra
++
++
++
13
Themeda
aurdinacea
+
++
++
14
Vetiveria
zizanioidea
+
+++
-
Seasonal feeding of Barasingha (Cervus duvauce branderi) on common
grasses in Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh (Martin, 1975)
Species of Grass
Apluda mutica
Arthraxon quartinianus
Bothriochloa odorata
Chionachne koenigii
Oiandrochloa japonica
Oigitaria stricta
Oimeria connivens
Eragrostiella bifaria
Eragrostis unioloides
Eulalia trispicata
Heteropogon contortus
Ischaemum indicum
Ischaemum rugosum
Iseilema prostratum
Mnesithea laevis
Narenga porphyrocoma
Panicum
austroasiaticum
Phragmites karka
Pseudopogonatherum
contortum
Saccharum
spontaneum
Schizachyrium
brevifolium
Setaria glauca
Sorghum halepense
Themeda quadrivalvis
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Cool and Dry Season
15th Dec-31st May
+
+++
++(g)
+
+
+
++
++
++
++
+
+
+ (g)
-
Early monsoon & early winter
1st June-14th June
++
+
+++
?
+
+
+
++
++
++
++
+
+
+++
++
+
+
_(g)
+
++
+
+++
+
+ (g)
?
++
+ (g)
+ (g)
+
++
+++
Themeda triandra
Vetiveria zizanioides
++(g)
++
+++
+
Note: Legends indicate intake: High +++, Medium ++, Low +, Very low or none;
(g) fed upon only when green; underlined: Fed upon regularly.
Manipuri / Sangai deer (Cervus eldi eldi)
The sangai deer do not have much competition with other herbivorous mammals
of the Keibul Lamjao National Park, as they cannot enter the floating swamp of
Phumdi. The luxuriant growth of vegetation on the Phumdi includes tall reeds and
grasses. The following table furnishes the kinds of plants utilized by the species
as food.
Plants eaten by sangai deer (TombiSingh, 1992)
S.NO
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Species
Lsing kambong
Saccharum munja
Erianthus ravennae
Panicum paludosum
Polytoca digitata
Polygonum flaccidium
P. perfoliatum
Lersia hexandra
9
10
Oryza parennis
Carex sp.
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Ecliptaprostata
Dioscorea bulbifera
Euphorbia hirta
Coiz aquatica
Cyanodon dactylon
Ranunculus scleratus
Alpinia aIJunghas
Panicum sp.
Eragrostis sp
Capillipedium sp
Coix lacrymajobi
Jussia repens
Parts eaten
Shoots, leaves
Shoots
Shoots, leaves
Shoots, flowers
Shoots
Shoots, flowers
Shoots, flowers
Leaves
and
flowers
New shoots
Leaves
and
flowers
Shoots, flowers
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves
Shoots
Shoots, leaves
Shoots, leaves
Shoots, flowers
Flowers, leaves
Flowers, leaves
Shoots
Leaves
The types of rations being fed to the species in certain captive facilities are
mention hereunder.
Zoological Garden, Manipur:
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Rice bran
Maize crushed
Gram whole
Mustard
leaf/cabbage
0.750 kg
0.500 kg
0.200 kg
0.100 kg
Wheat bran
Oil cake
Heirru/ heibong
Green fodder
0.750 kg
0.100 kg
0.100 kg
3.000 kg
National Zoological Park, New Delhi:
Mash - 1.0 kg, Chaffed green fodder (Kutti) - 2.0 kg, Tree leaves (Ficus/ mulberry
leaves with fine twigs) 5kg and Emblica officinalis fruits - 50 g (depending upon
the availability is mixed in mash) are fed per adult per day. The percentages of
ingredients in the composition of mash for the concentrate diet are given below.
Wheat bran
22%
Horse gram
Barley
Oats
Oil cake
Turmeric
powder
Mineral
mixture
and
salt
13%
16%
8%
26%
1%
2%
Zoological Garden, Kolkata
Carrot + Red potatoes
Wheat bran
Barley (Crushed)
Oat (crushed)
Gram (soaked)
Salt
0.200 kg
1.200 kg
1.025 kg
0.100 kg
0.300 kg
LS
All
days
except
Friday
Groundnut/ Oil cake
Vegetables/ leaves
Pulses (dry)
Cattle feed/Mash
Green fodder
Paddy straw
0.060 Kg
LS
0.060 gms
7.00 Kg
3.0-4.0 Kg
0.100 Kg
Zoological Park, Hyderabad
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 Cattle feed/Mash (Supplemented with vitamins & minerals)=3.0-4.0kg
 Green fodder =7.0 kg
5. Zoological Park, Kanpur
 Pellets (Concentrate) = 1.0-1.5 kg
 Green fodder (Chari, Barseem) = 15.0-20.0 kg
 Gur/ Molasses (Only during winter) = 0.100 kg
6. Zoological Garden Ahmedabad
 Conc. mixture = 1.5 kg
 Green fodder = 3.0 kg
 Hay
= ad libitum
Zoological Garden Thriuvananthapuram








Gram(Bengal) = 0.100 kg
Cattle feed = 0.500 kg
Wheat bran = 0.750 kg
Carrots = 0.100 kg
Green gram =0.100kgCotton seed = 0.100kg
Fodder leaves = 5.000 kg
Grass =5.000
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Chinkara (Gazella gazella)
The species is mainly browser and concentrate feeder. Absence of certain
cellulloytic bacteria in the reticulo-rumen facilitating digestion of fibrous food is
attributed for food preferences for low fiber leaves and of high nutrient
requirements (like other concentrate feeders). Soni (1983) reported that Gazella
dorcas inhabiting Thar Desert eats leaves, flowers and fruits of the following
plants:
Tecomella undulata, Aervato mentosa,Prosopis cineraria, Acacia
jecomonsi, Gratalaria burhia, Zizyphus nummularia, Galotrapis prasera,
Gynodon, Dacryloctenium and Gyperus sp.
The crop species liked by the gazelles include Phaseolus aureus, P.
aconitifolicus, Gyamopsis tetragonaloba, Brassica campestris and Gicer
arietinum.
During feeding an alpha male occupies the central position in a herd and
enjoy the best available. Goyal et a/. (1988) studied food preference of the
species inhabiting an area adjoining Bishnoiyan village situated on the outskirts
of Jodhpur city
Their observations revealed that gazelles in winter preferred Gratalaria
burhia
and
Zizyphus
nummuralia
leaves
having
7-12
%crude
proteins.Duringsummerwhen mostof the preferredplant speciesdry upthe
gazelles feed on the green leaves of Maytenus emarginatus and to some extent
on the growing ground flora -Elensine compressa and Gyperus arenarius. These
are good source of moisture and nutrients. During the period gazelles also eat
green and dried pods of Prosopis cineraria and the micronutrients rich flowers of
Tecomella undulata. This poor roughage digester species have fore stomachs of
comparatively smaller size particularly the rumen of low volume, which may be
facilitating the fast leaping and escaping abilities from any danger of the species.
Percent plant species foraged by blackbuck and Chinkara (Goyal et al.
1988)
Species
Blackbuck
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Summer
Cynodon daetylon
Desmostaehya
bipinnnata,
Mollugo
spp., Prosopis cineraria,
P.juliflora pods
Winter
Cynodon daetylon
Desmostaehya
bipinnnata
Dectyloetenium
aegyptium,
Eleusine compressa, Mollugo
sp.,Sporobolus murginatus.
Chinkara
(G.gazella)
Zizyphus
nummularia, Crotolaria
burhia,
Zizyphus
Maytenus emarginata, nummularia, Teeomella undulata
Eleusine
compressa, (flowers).
Heliotropium
spp,
Prosopis
ceneraria
(pods)
(b) Captivity:
Ration for Chinkara adult Per day –
Zoological Garden, Ahmedabad
Conc. feed = O.200kg
Green forage = 1.00 kg
Dry forage = ad lib
Zoological Garden, Calcutta
Wheat bran = O. 350kg
Gram crushed = O.350kg
Barley = O. 100kg
Carrot + Red Potato= O.350kg
Salt = L.S.*
Leaves= L.S.*
Zoological Garden, Mysore
Horse gram = O.200 kg
Wheat bran = O.500 kg
Green grass = 3.000 kg
Hay = 1.000 kg
Lucerne = 0.250 kg
Zoological Park, Hyderabad
Cattle feed = 0.5-1.0 kg
Lucerne = 1.0-2.0 kg
Pipal leaves = 1.0-2.0 kg
National Zoological, Park, New Delhi
Mash = O.500kg
Gram soaked = 0.250kg
Kutti = 1.000 kg
Tree fodder = 1.000 kg
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Zoological Garden, Gwalior
Gram (Crushed) = O.250kg
Vegetables (seasonal) = O.500 kg
Green fodder = 5.000 kg
Zoological Park, Kanpur
Dry cattle feed = O.500 kg
Gur (In winter) = O.509 kg
Green grass = 3.000 kg
Chowsingha (Tetracerus quadricornis)
It is the smallest antelope in Asia. The species inhabits wooded undulating
low hilly terrain in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajastan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh but not in the
Malabar Coast.
It mainly feeds on tender leaves, grasses and shoots.
Diets (in Kg) for certain wild artiodactylid species (per adult/day) in captive
facilities
Zoological Garden, Kolkata
Food items
Chital
Hog deer
Barking deer
Sangai
Red potatoes+ Carrots
Wheat bran
Barley - crushed
Oats crushed
Gram -soaked
Salt
G.nut Oil cake
Vegetables/ Tree leaves
Paddy straw
Pulse-dry
0.750
0.100
0.050
0.100
LS
0.040
LS
0.100
-
0.500
0.250
0.100
0.050
0.250
LS
0.050
LS
0.100
-
0.250
0.300
0.050
0.020
0.200
LS
LS
0.200
1.200.
1.250
0.100
0.300
LS
0.060
LS
0.060
0.060
-
Zoological Garden, Kolkata
Food items
Blackbuck
Chinkara
Nilgai
Wheat bran
Barley crushed
Gram soaked
Oats crushed
Carrots+red potatoes
Salt
Leaves
Paddy straw
0.500
0.125
0.200
0.250
LS
LS
0.350
0.100
0.350
0.350
LS
LS
1.000
0.150
0.300
0.350
0.500
LS
LS
0.300
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National Zoological Park, New Delhi
Species
Mash
Green fodder
Tree leaves
Gaur
Nilgai
Sambar
Swamp deer
Sangai
Chital
10.000
2.000
2.000
2.000
1.000**
0.750
30.000
7.000
5.000
3.000
2.000
2.000
5.000
Zoological Park, Kanpur (UP)
Species
Nilgai
Sambar
Sangai
Sika deer
Chital
Blackbuck
Barking
Hog deer/
Chowsingha
Green
grass
(chari/ Barseem)
20.000
20.000
10.000
5.000
5.000
5.000
3.000
Cattle ration
Gur in winter
1.500
1.500
1.00
0.500
0.750
0.750
0.500
0.100
0.100
0.100
0.500
0.500
Zoological Park, Hyderabad
Species
Sambar/Nilgai
Barasingha
Sangai
Chital
Hog deer
Blackbuck
Chinkara
Chowsingha
Barking deer
D:\533568464.doc
Cattle feed
1.0- 2.0
0.750(+)
0.5-1.0
0.5-1.0
0.5-1.0
0.5 -1.0
0.5-1.0
0.5-1.0
Lucerne
3.0-4.0
3.0-5.0
2.0-3.0
2.0-3.0
2.0-3.0
0.5-1.0
1.0-2.0
1.0-2.0
1.0-2.0
Pipal leaves
Nil
5.0
2.0-3.0
2.0-3.0
2.0-3.0
2.0-3.0
1.0-2.0
1.0-2.0
1.0-2.0
Green grass
Ad libitum
8.0kg
-do-do-do2.0-3.0
-do-do-do-
Zoological Park, Vandalur, Chennai
Species
Gram
Grass
Chital
Sambar deer
Hog deer
Barking deer
Wheat
bran
1.0
2.0
0.5
0.50
0.025
0.0500
0.050
.050
7.0
15.0
5.0
5.0
Tree
leaves
3.0
5.0
2.0
2.0
Sangai deer
1.0
0.200
7.0
5.0
Blackbuck
0.050
5.0
2.0
Nilgai
2.0
20.0
5.0
0.200
Stylol
Lucerne
2.0
2.0
2.0
3.0
Zoological Garden, Mysore
Species
Chital
Hog deer
Barking deer
Sambar deer
Sangai deer
Swamp deer
Sika deer
Blackbuck
Chowsingha
Green
Grass
5.000
5.000
5.000
10.000
10.000
10.000
5.000
3.0
3.0
Hay
Lucerne
2.000
2.000
2.000
3.000
2.000
1.000
2.000
1.0
2.0
0.250
0.250
0.250
0.500
0.500
1.000
0.250
0.200
0.250
Wheat
Barn
0.900
1.500
0.750
1.500
1.500
2.500
1.000
0.600
0.500
Horse
Gram
0.300
0.200
0.300
0.400
0.300
0.300
0.300
0.200
0.250
Paddy
5.00
Zoological Garden, Guwahati
Species
Fodder
Grass
20.00
10.00
10.00
Sambar
Chital
Barking
deer
Hog deer 10.00
Blackbuck 12.00
D:\533568464.doc
Gram
Soaked
0.500
0.250
do
Wheat
Barn
0.500
0.250
do
Mung
0.250
0.020
do
Common Banana
Salt
0.020
6
7
do
7
do
0.200
do
0.200
do
0.200
do
0.010
7
2
Biological Park, Bubaneshwar
Species
Chital
Sambar
Swamp deer
Barking deer
Blackbuck
Nilgai
Chowsingha
Common
Grass
2.000
15.000
15.000
1.000
1.000
15.000
1.000
Stylo
Grass
1.000
3.000
3.000
1.000
1.000
3.000
1.000
Deer
Mash
1.000
2.500
2.500
0.750
0.750
2.500
0.750
Tree
Fodder
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
Zoological Garden, Gwalior
Species
Cheetal
Sambar
Hog deer
Chinkara
Nilgai
Green
Grass
5.0-8.0
20.000
5.000
5.000
20.000
Gram
Vegetables
1.000
11.000
0.250
0.250
1.000
1.0-2.000
1.0-2.000
0.500
0.500
1.0-2.000
Biological Park, Patna
Species
Mash
Gram
Grass
Napier
Mahua
Others
0.500
0.300
10.000
0.100
0.500
0.300
10.000
0.100
0.500
0.300
5.000
Chital
Hog deer
Barking deer
Sambar
1.500
0.025
15.000
1.000
0.150
10.000
Blackbuck
D:\533568464.doc
0.300
Zoological Garden, Indore
Food items
Concentrate
Gram
Green fodder
Dry roughage
Vegetables +
Fruits
Chital
1.0
Black buck
1.0
5.0
2.0
0.5
6.0
4.0
Nilgai
1.0
1.0
6.0
8.0
1.0
Hog deer
0.300
3.0-4.0
2.0
Sambar
1.0
1.0
8.0
Zoological Garden, Junagarh (Gujarat)
Species
Chital
Hog deer
Blackbuck
Chinkara
Chowsingha
Sambar
Barking deer
Green fodder
5.000
5.000
5.000
3.000
do
15.00
do
Gram
2.00
2.00
2.00
0.500
0.500
3.000
0.500
Cattle feed
0.500
0.500
0.500
0.500
0.500
0.500
0.500
Dry fodder
0.500
0.500
1.000
1.000
Zoological Garden, Imphal –Manipur
Food items
Chital
Sambar
Hog deer
Barking deer
Rice bran
Wheat bran
Maize crushed
Oil cake
Gram whole
Heirru/Heibong
Mustard
leaf/cabbage
Green fodder
0.750
0.750
0.500
0.100
0.200
0.100
0.500
1.000
1.000
0.500
0.100
0.200
0.100
0.200
0.500/0.330
0.500/0.330
0.500/0.330
0.100/1.060
0.100/0.060
0.100/0.060
0.100/0.060
0.500
0.500
0.250
0.100
0.100
0.100
0.100
5.000
8.000
4.000/2.666.
4.000
D:\533568464.doc
Diet regimen per adult per day for Tiger, Lion, Leopard and canid species in
different Zoological parks
Zoo
Beef (kg)
Tiger (Panthera tigris)
Ahmedabad 8-10
New Delhi
12.0
Kanpur
15.0
Lucknow
8-11
Guwahati
11.0
Hyderabad 8-10
Patna
12.0
Mysore
10.0
Chennai
8.0
Mumbai
14-1 6
Zoo
Chatt Bir
12-15*
Darjeeling
10-11
Lion (P leo persica)
Ahmedabad 8-10
Junagarh
8-10
Kanpur
8-14
New Delhi
12.0
Chennai
8-12
Hyderabad 8-10
Patna
7.00
Mysore
10.0
Guwahati
11.0
Borivali
12.0
Milk (ml)
0.500
0.500
0.500
D:\533568464.doc
4.00.
4.0
4.0
4.0-6.0
8.00
Once*
1.0
1.0
0.250
* 0.500
Eggs (no) Remarks
1*
7-9 kg For (F)
*Off day
1
2*
250-500 gms liver
*In winter
1*
Liver 500g
* Twice a week
2.0*
* To white
7-8 kg For (F)
3/4-1.0
0.500
0.500
1
1
1
2*
1/4-1/2Liver
-do*In winter
To new arrivals
15kg for some
period
Leopard (Panthera pardus)
Sepahijala
1.5
Kanpur
4.0-5.0
Chennai
4.0
Hyderabad 3.0-4.0
0.250
Patna
Guwahati
Chatt Bir
New Delhi
Mysore
Fowl (kg)
0.250
0.750
1
1
250 g Liver
150-250 g Liver
2*
*In winter
Beef (in kg) per adult canid per day in certain zoos
Zoo
Jackal
National Zoological Park, New 2.00
Delhi
Zoological Garden, Lucknow
1.000
Zoological Park, Kanpur
1.000
Wolf
4.000
Fox
0.500
2.000
2.000
0.500*
Zoological Park, Chennai
2.000
0.500
(Fowl)
1.200
Zoological Park, Hyderabad
Zoological Garden, Mumbai
Zoological Garden, Mysore
Zoological Park, Sepahijala
Zoological Garden, Jaipur
Zoological Garden, Junagarh
Zoological Garden, Auragabad
Zoological Garden, Itanagar
Biological Park, Patna
Zoological garden, Kolkata
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0.500
0.100
(Liver)
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.500
1.000
1.000
1.000
2.000
Remarks
With bone
Boiled
With bone
* No bone
No bone
No bone
0.750
0.300
1.000
1.000
No bone
Diets (in kg) per adult per day for Hyaena (H. hyaena)
Zoological Park
Beef
2.500
Zoological Park, Chennai (TN)
National Zoological Park, New 4.000
Delhi
Zoological Garden Mumbai
2.000
Zoological Garden, Kolkata
3.000
Zoological Garden, Ahmedabad
National Park, Borivali, Mumbai
Zoological Garden, Mysore
Remarks
Liver 100 9 and chicken
500 g is fed additionally
In winter 1 kg extra.
Boneless to bone meat
ratio 1: 2/3
1.5-2.000
3.000
5.000
Sloth bear (Melurus ursinus)
Species is endemic to lndia and Sri Lanka. It ranges from base of Himalayas to
southern parts of India. The sloth bear is an expert climber. It is truly omnivorous.
It has poor eyesight and low sense of hearing but its sense of smell is peracute/
extremely good. Jungle fruits such as Jamun, ber, bel, species of Grewia,
species of Diospyres, Cassia fistula, the flowers of mahua, honey, grubs, insects
(specially termites) and the tender shoots of grasses are eaten (Krishnan, 1971).
Bear needs water frequently; hence remains around the perennial water source.
Rajesh Gopal (1992) listed species natural diet items season wise.
Food of sloth bear in Bandhavgarh National Park, M.P. (Rajesh Gopal
(1992)
Botanical name
Part eaten
Availability
Aegle marmelos
Asparagus racemosus
Buchanania lanzan spreng
Cassia fistula Linn.
Cordiamuza. Auct
Curcume angustifollia
Fruit
Root
Fruit
Fruit
Fruit
Rhizome
Diospros melanoxylon
Emblica officinalis
Ficus glomerata Roxb.
Madhuca indica Gmel.
Mangitera indica linn.
Peucedanum dnana Ham.
Fruit
Fruit
Fruit
Flowers, Fruit
Fruit
Root
D:\533568464.doc
May-June
August-December
April-May
Nov.-Jan
April-June
Jan-FebJulyDec.
April-June.
Nov.-Feb.
May-June
March-June
May-June
Sept-Dec.
Pimpinella hevneana
Semacarpus anacardium
Syzigium cumini Gaertn.
Zizyphus jujuba Linn.
Z. oenopfia Mill.
Other items
Decayed flesh
Honey
Ants
Root
Receptacle
Fruit
Fruit
Fruit
Aug-Dec.
Jan-March
June-July
Dec-Feb.
Oct-Dec.
Entire
Entire
Entire
Termites
Entire
Nov-Feb.
Feb-April
Jan-April - JuneJuly, Oct-Dec.
Jan-April, SeptDec
The Following Table depicts the diet being fed to bears in the different zoological
parks/ gardens
Diets for sloth (M. ursinus) bear per adult per day.
Food
Items
Rice
(cooked)
Bread
Flour
Milk
Egg
Sweetpotato
Groundnut
Banana
Fruits
(seasonal)
Carrots
Pumpkin
Vegetable
s
Honey
Sugar/
Jaggery
Food
Items
Ragi
D:\533568464.doc
Guwahat
i
0.500
0.500
1 no
0.200
2 no
Jamshedpu
r
0.750
Patna
Ahmedabad
0.500
0.750*
2 lit
0.400
70 roti 0.250
200ml 0.250ml
0.250
1.250
0.100
4no
4 no
1.000
0.250
0.375
0.500
0.100
0.500
Tiruvanantpura
m
0.300
1.250
2 .000
0.075
0.50
Delhi
0.50
Kanpur
0.250
0.200
0.125
Bubaneshwar Chennai
0.250
Chattbir
Rice+gram
Egg
Milk
Bread
Maize (Bhutta)
Banana
Chikoo/grapes
Carrot
Beet root/Pine
apple
Sweet potatoboiled
Sweet lime
Ber/ Bel
Fruits
seasonal
Tapioca
Green pea
Papaya/ sweet
melon
Vegetables
Radish/ turnip
Groundnut
Jaggery/Honey
D:\533568464.doc
0.500 ml
1.000
1.000
3 no.
0.500
2 no.
500 ml
0.800
1.500.
1.000
0.200
0.100
0.200
0.500ml
2slices
0.250
0.200
0.250ml
0.500
0.300
0.200
0.200
0.250
0.250
0.250
2no
0.100
1 no
3.000
0.700
1.000
0.300
0.100
0.100
0.500
0.300
0.250
3.000
0.350
0.100
0.080
0.025
0.850
0.100
0.100
0.200
0.600
0.100
Himalayan black bear (Se/enarctos thibetanus)
Species inhabits from Kashmir Himalayas to Assam. In summer it dwells
between 3050 and 3660 metre altitudes and in winter comes down to the lower
valley at a height of around 1225 m.
The food comprises mainly of fruits and insects, which it seeks in dark.
Being the most carnivorous of bears, it has been known to kill domestic animals
(sheep, goats) for subsistence. Preter (1971) stated that black bears are primarily
nocturnal. Schaller (1969) examined 82 droppings of the black bears and his
observations were as follows.
Black bears obtained much of their fruit by climbing onto trees, sometimes
into the upper branches 10 or more metres above the ground. They were also
found active during the daytime in Dachigam Sanctuary.
The most important foods were Celtis australis (40%), valnuts (32.9%) and
acrons (12.1 %).
In the early October, walnuts and acorns were prominent in the diet, but
by late October, when these two species had been largely eaten up, the bears
switched to Celitis, a pea sized fruit ripening at that time.
Scattered apricot and apple trees and grape vines grow in the fields
bordering the sanctuary, only one dropping contained the fruits of wild rose even
though they were abundant.
Diet for Himalayan black bear (S. Thibetanns) per adult per day in certain zoos
Food
Items
Ragi cooked
Rice+gram
Rice+Mung
Bread
Milk
Maize
Hydera
bad
0.150
0.200
Banana
Sweet lime
Fruits
Tapioca
Tomato
Carrots
Radish/Beet
Root/Potato
Sweet potato
Brinjal
Cucumber
Groundnut
Ber
Honey
(twice
weekly)
2 nos
1 nos
1.000
D:\533568464.doc
2.800
1.0 lit
0.250
0.250
Chenn
ai
Chattbi
r
Delhi
0.200
2 slices
500ml
Bokaro
800
1.000
0.200
500ml
0.250
(Roti)
1.000
500ml
0.700
500 ml
3no
4 no
0.550
0.100
0.700
0.500
0.250
0.100
0.100
0.100
0.250
0.200
0.500
0.250
0.250
0.500
0.100
0.020
0.500
0.250
0.050
0.100
Kanpur
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