Comparative Nutrition Department

Sarah BurkeNutrition Manager

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Nutrition in ZoosZoo Nutrition

• Traditionally filled by:• Veterinarians• Keepers• Curatorial Staff

• Limited nutrition programs with PhD heads• Only 7 of more than 200 AZA institutions

• Omaha

• St. Louis

• Indianapolis

• San Diego (2)

• Lincoln Park

• Brookfield

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Diet Formulation

Food Pyramids

Diet FormulationsScientific Guesswork?

Diet FormulationsScientific Guesswork?

Diet FormulationsScientific Guesswork?

Diet FormulationsScientific Guesswork?

There are always misfits?

Diet Preparation

• 6 full time employees

• 365 days year• Approximately

500 diets prepped daily

How much food does it take per week?

• Bananas • Apples• Lettuce• Meat • Fish• Hard boiled

eggs

• 1,000 pounds• 1,000 pounds• 500 heads• 1,500 pounds• 1,000 pounds• 1,100 eggs

Diet Formulation and Nutrient Analysis – Nutrition Laboratory

Water, Minerals, Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate, Energy, Vitamins

Gorilla DietsDiet Breakdown40% Mixed Greens

30 %Seasonal Vegetables12% Biscuits

10% Seasonal Fruit2% Oatmeal Patty

6% Alfalfa Hay

Average Daily Amount of Food

Females = 13 LbsMales = 21 Lbs

Male Gorilla DietMoisture = 74%Protein = 6 %

Fat = 1%Fiber = 8%

Mineral = 8%Calories = 1.65

kcal/g

Health Issues with Gorilla• Heart Disease

• Number 1 killer of male gorillas in zoos

• To help prevent issues…all gorillas are on a high fiber diet

• Obesity• Do to the limited movement in zoos,

gorillas tend to become obese.• To help prevent this…enrichment

activities are provided

• General Health• Gorillas suffer many ailments similar

to humans

Questions?