Comparative Feeding Alterations of Wild Herbivores in Zoo and Safari Park of Bangladesh.

Abstract

The study was conducted in order to comprehend the diverse feeding practice of common wild herbivores in Bangladesh National Zoo, Mirpur, Dhaka and Bangabandhu Seikh Mujib Safari Park, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram. We collected data for Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious), Spotted Deer (Axis axis), Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak), Gaur (Bos gaurs) and Zebra (Equus burchellii). Through visiting zoo and safari park, feeding habit and feeding behavior was closely observed. Data collection was done through previously made open ended questionnaire, by face-to-face communication as well as via phone. We made an interactive conversation with animal caretaker, stuffs and officers. At Bangladesh National Zoo, wild herbivores provided green grass, spinach, fruits, vegetables as roughage and maize bran, soybean meal, chickpea, salt, minerals, toxin binder, DCP were mixed together to form a concentrate mixture. To determine the nutritional value of concentrate mixture, feed samples were collected into zipper bag directly before providing to the animals. Concentrate mixture was analyzed at Animal nutrition laboratory, CVASU. The feed sample has 77.57% dry matter (DM), 3.79% crude protein (CP), 6.56% crude fiber (CF), 22.43% moisture and 18.4% ash. On the other hand, at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, they rely on nature for roughage supply and through grazing the wild herbivores maintain their intrinsic habit. Although the Asian elephants get extra vegetables, banana trees, ripen banana and Zebras get carrot treat. In some herbivores- maize bran, crushed corn, salt etc. is provided in a supplementary grain mixture. Zoo herbivores get inefficient opportunity of grazing compared to those herbivores in safari park.