Abstract
Limited information is available on the mineral nutrition of captive antelope in South Africa. Zoo animals are usually offered a very limited array of feeds, which may result in nutritional imbalances. As a pilot study to investigate the presence of myopathy in antelope at the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (NZG), stored liver samples from six springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) and seven other antelopes from the NZG, as well as selected food items, were submitted for analysis of selenium, copper, manganese and zinc content by spectrophotometry. Springbok liver levels of copper were 23.07 mg/kg ± 0.72 mg/kg, whilst manganese, selenium and zinc levels were 6.73 mg/kg ± 0.22 mg/kg, 0.14 mg/kg ± 0.05 mg/kg and 135.02 mg/kg ± 1.26 mg/kg, respectively. Liver mineral levels in the other species were very variable. Food item copper levels ranged from 4.00 mg/kg (Eragrostis tef) to 17.38 mg/kg (antelope cubes), lucerne (Medicago sativa) and E. tef contained no detectable selenium. The highest zinc levels were in antelope cubes (147.00 mg/kg) and the lowest were in lucerne (20.80 mg/kg). Interpretation of these results was hampered by the small number of samples and a paucity of information on liver mineral levels in free-ranging and captive antelope; however, results suggested that, in the springbok, whilst copper and manganese intake are likely adequate, selenium nutrition is probably insufficient and may account for the myopathy diagnosed. Zinc liver levels are possibly within the toxic range, perhaps as a result of the high levels of zinc in the antelope cubes. This pilot study highlighted the need to establish baseline mineral nutrition data for captive and freeranging antelope under South African conditions.
Highlights
In zoo animals, nutritional requirements play an important role in the health of each individual and the overall health of the population (Miller et al 2001)
Most wildlife and zoo nutrition is extrapolated from research in domestic animals (Robbins 1993), which may not necessarily be appropriate and should be used with caution, because nutritional requirements of domestic animals may not represent the specific needs of zoo animals (Miller et al 2001)
The mineral status of free-ranging wildlife has been measured in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) (Webb et al 2001), black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) (Penrith et al 1996), blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) (Penrith et al 1996; Quan 2005; Quan, Mülders & Meltzer 2002), Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) (Syakalima et al 2000), springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) (Hoon 2003) and Thompson’s gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) (Wieckowski, Abraham & Wernery 2008)
Summary
Nutritional requirements play an important role in the health of each individual and the overall health of the population (Miller et al 2001). Limited knowledge is available on mineral requirements of wildlife and zoo animals (Johnson, Bleich & Krausman 2007; Zimmerman et al 2008), complicating the diagnosis of mineral imbalances. Zoo animals are usually offered a very limited array of feeds, which, together with regional variations in feed quality, may result in nutritional imbalances (Miller et al 2001). Mineral assays on tissue samples and feedstuffs can be used to establish the mineral nutritional status of zoo animals
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