Implications of Nutritional Management on Fatty Acid Profiles of Southern White Rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum) Housed at Two Zoological Institutions.

Jordan Wood,Doug Bibus,Troy Neil Tollefson,Heidi Bissell,Larry Jb Minter,Kimberly Ange-Van Heugten

doi:10.3390/ani11113063

Abstract

Simple SummaryThis study addresses the lack of information available for southern white rhinoceros circulating fatty acids that is important for the health, management, and conservation of the species. The objectives of this research were to provide novel fatty acid percentage profiles for managed healthy southern white rhinoceroses, as well as to provide comparisons between two zoos with differences in diet and climate during two distinct pasture growth periods. Noteworthy results were the higher levels of α-linolenic acid and total omega-3 fatty acids, and lower linoleic acid, total omega-6 fatty acids, and the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio found in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in both growth periods when compared to the North Carolina Zoo. These data provide novel fatty acid percentages for southern white rhinoceroses and describe how fatty acids may differ between housing locations due to pasture growth periods and diet.Southern white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum) are African megaherbivores that are considered near threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The fatty acid circulating values of these animals have not been thoroughly investigated. Fatty acids are critical for immune, heart, skin, and reproductive health, and may have a significant impact on the management and conservation of this species. Published data on fatty acids in this species is limited to incomplete profiles with very few animals in managed environments. The objectives of this research were to provide novel fatty acid percentage profiles for managed healthy southern white rhinoceroses, as well as to provide comparisons between two zoological institutions with differences in diet and climate during two distinct pasture growth periods. Whole blood samples were collected as dried blood spots from six rhinoceroses at the North Carolina Zoo (NC Zoo) and five rhinoceroses at Busch Gardens Tampa (BGT) in the low growth period (February to April) of 2019 and during the high growth period (July to September) of 2020. Fatty acid results indicated numerous differences when comparing the institutions within the same growth period and when comparing the same institution between its two growth periods. Most noteworthy were the higher levels of α-linolenic acid (18:3w3) and total omega-3 fatty acids and the lower linoleic acid (18:2w6), total omega-6 fatty acids, and omega-6 to omega-3 ratio found in the BGT population in both growth periods. This study provides novel percentages of fatty acids in managed southern white rhinoceroses and data on how fatty acid profiles may be altered between two housing locations via dietary differences in hay type and quantity, pasture availability via season, and pellet inclusion levels.

Highlights

Southern white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum) are a primarily grazing species and are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN [1]
Adult southern white rhinoceroses were bled via medial radial veins or an auricular vein in untreated red top serum separator tubes
Of the 36 individual fatty acids analyzed, 26 were present in large enough quantities to be identified in the dried blood spot (DBS) samples (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Southern white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum) are a primarily grazing species and are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN [1]. Anti-poaching movements have been the cornerstone of free-ranging rhinoceros’ conservation, including the Southern White Rhinoceros Biodiversity Plan, which aimed to reduce poaching and increase population growth rates between 2015 and 2020 [2,3]. This plan was only partially successful with some increased population growth rates in areas around Kruger National. To best conserve endangered species, such as southern white rhinoceroses, management of both free-ranging and human managed animals must be studied and better evaluated for insurance against extinction and education programs to enhance Species

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