|
|
|
|
| |
| Location: |
World |
| Subject: |
Ecology - Food |
| Species: |
Sumatran Rhino |
 |
|
Ten browses consumed by Sumatran rhinos in Malaysia contained less cellulose (14 to 23% of DM), but even higher lignin levels (8 to 24%) than black rhino browses, suggesting that south-east Asian forages may be less digestible than African browses. Total cell wall (NDF) averaged 50%; ADF, 27%. Crude protein levels in Malaysian (n=10) and Indonesian (n=12) browses identical to ranges recorded in African forages (6-24%), with average available protein content about 9% of dry matter. No work has been conducted on soluble sugars, or lipid content of Sumatran rhino diets.
Sodium appears limiting in native browses, but can and is readily obtained through natural salt licks utilized by Sumatran rhinos. Phosphorus, particularly in relation to calcium content, also appears limiting in native rhino browses; overconsumption of high Ca forages (including alfalfa) may precipitate metabolic imbalances of these nutrients.
Although much emphasis has been placed on vitamin E nutrition of black rhinos over the past decade, almost no data exist on this nutrient in Sumatran rhinos. Tissue (liver, heart, skeletal muscle, and adipose) concentrations have been measured in 3 animals; results suggest metabolic similaries with black rhinos in hepatic or adipose storage of this nutrient, but uniqueness in muscle tissue metabolism. In general, domestic horses do not appear to provide useful comparative indicators for tissue vitamin E status in any of the rhinoceros species.
After prolonged diet refinement to improve diet palatability and fecal consistency, feeding trials at Bronx and Cincinnati Zoos resulted in a daily diet comprising mixed hay (intake approximately 10 kg), 3.2 kg of a high-lignin browser pellet, and 3 to 4 temperate browses, to most closely duplicate natural forage composition for maintenance of adult Sumatrans. Nonetheless, diets appear not entirely adequate, and health problems which may be linked to nutrition continue to affect browsing rhino populations in zoos.
|
|
|
Sumatran rhino nutrition
File available
details
Original text on this topic: