Proper nutrition for welfare improvement of the Giant Anteater (myrmecophaga tridactyla), at Cali Zoo, Colombia
By: Wehdeking, Dave; Quintero, Jhon Sebastián; Gómez, Sandra Marcela; Girón, Diego - Animal Welfare Unit, Fundación Zoológica de Cali-Colombia
Abstract
At the Zoological Foundation of Cali, the nutrition group of the Animal Welfare Unit, determined that it is possible to provide adequate nutrition to Myrmecophaga tridactyla in captivity, through a balanced diet that favored the animal's well-being. The diet was based on protein of animal origin (59% of the total diet), peat (1.12% of the total diet) as a source of minerals and the inclusion of acetic acid (2.8% of the total diet), and chitosan (0.84% of the total diet) as nutraceuticals. In the preparation of the food, water (36% of the total diet) was used to obtain a watery paste that was palatable to the anteater. The work was carried out for a month and a permanent monitoring of the animals was maintained. The diets were supplied in two portions on the day, AM and PM. The results showed improvements in their body condition with a score of 4/5, adequate physiological functions for the adsorption of nutrients with weight gain and maintenance, as well as formed and firm stools. There were no pathological alterations in the animals.
Introduction
It is a stenophagous animal, that is, it has a very specialized diet. Their diet is insectivorous, basically consisting of ants and termites, the percentages of each varying according to the time of year (Chebez, 1994 and Palermo, 1984). However, it has been described that circumstantially, it can also feed on small insects, such as: small worms and larvae of certain coleopterans (Palermo, 1984) and also carrion and ripe and soft fruits (Merrit, 1977). In search of its food, it walks slowly, stopping from time to time to investigate a termite mound guided by its keen sense of smell. The anteater sniffs it first, then, rearing up on its hind legs, tries, with its claws, to open a gap. When it succeeds, it sinks its snout into the hole and inserts its long tongue covered in viscous saliva that makes both larvae and eggs as well as adult ants adhere. The salivary canals constantly secrete an agglutinating substance produced by powerful submandibular glands located in the back of the mouth (Palermo, 1984).
The problem: earlier nutritional program
The nutritional management of the individuals during the years 2018 and 2019, included the follow ingredients; a management has been improved, changing presentation and ingredients.
Methods and results:
A NEW DIET
In order to continue improving the nutritional management of the species, new changes are established, through the inclusion of Peat and Chitosan.
During this period, an assessment of the quality of the fecal samples was developed, finding an inadequate condition of the fecal depositions from the individuals. Using the Heidi Bissel, Giant Anteater Fecal score, 2015, the samples were scoring as 2 for 2018 and 3 for 2019. This evaluation conclude that the diet inadequate ingredients and lack of supplements.
After the diet changes, a new evaluation of the condition the fecal matter were done, finding a clearly improvement from 3 to 5.
Future development
Cali Zoo, has a continue development of the nutrition management, aimed to guarantee the optimal conditions of animal welfare, seeking to achieve the higher indicators, working together between the different areas of the zoo.
REFERENCES: Carciofi, A & Domingues de Oliveira. 2006. Capítulo 53. Doencas Nutricionais. En Cubas, Z; Ramos Silva, J.C.; Catão-Dias, J.L. Tratado de animais selvagens – Medicina Veterinaria. Pp 838-864. Carciofi, A & Saad, C.E.P. 2001. Nutrition and Nutritional Problems in Wild Animals. In M.E. Fowler & Cubas, Z. (ed) Biology, medicine and surgery of South American wild animals. 1st Ed. Iowa State University Press. Pp 425 – 436 Heidi Bissel, Giant Anteater Fecal score, 2015