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Analysis of nutrient components of food for Asian Elephants in the wild and in captivity |
| WANG Lihong1, LIN Liu1, ZHANG Li1, HE Qian2, ZHANG Jinguo2 |
| 1.Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; 2.Beijing Zoo, Beijing 100044, China |
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Abstract Thirty-seven wild plants as food for Asian elephants in the field in Simao, Yunnan province, China and five cultivated plants as food for captive elephants in the Beijing Zoo were collected and analyzed for their main nutrient components. Protein, fat, fiber, dry material, ash as well as major microelements: calcium, kalium, zincum, sodium in the food were analyzed by standard methodology. No significant differences were found between the wild plants taken in the field and forage provided in captivity. However, the calcium content in the forage is significantly less than the average of those in the wild plants. It is suggested that the increase in calcium intake may contribute to the relief of low plasma calcium diseases of elephants in captivity.
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Issue Date: 05 September 2007
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