Pygmy Slow Loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus) European Zoo Diet Survey Results

Authors

  • Francis Cabana Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, Paignton Zoo Environmental Park

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19227/jzar.v2i2.52

Abstract

The captive population of Pygmy slow loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus) in European zoos is managed by a European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). However, there are so far no available nutrient recommendations for this species. With the consent of the Prosimian Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), a nutrition questionnaire was circulated to the 39 EEP participants asking about the ingredients for their N. pygmaeus diets, presentation, and related health issues. Only 16 replied (41%), 15 of which included adequate nutritional information. The replies revealed that diets in practice reflect the lack of guidelines and are not based on research evidence that N. pygmaeus is an exudativore, feeding on gum, nectar and insects. Therefore none of the reported diets are appropriate or conducive to optimum health and welfare. Nutrition guidelines are essential to improve the husbandry of all lorisid taxa kept in zoos.

Author Biography

Francis Cabana, Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, Paignton Zoo Environmental Park

Field Conservation and Research Department, Zoo Nutrition Researcher

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Published

30-04-2014

How to Cite

Cabana, F. (2014). Pygmy Slow Loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus) European Zoo Diet Survey Results. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, 2(2), 39–43. https://doi.org/10.19227/jzar.v2i2.52

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2014)

Section

Original Research Article

License

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