When it comes to feeding apex predators in a zoo, what is best for the animals is usually not something the American public can or will tolerate.  This group of animals hunts and kills it food.  The stalking, attacking and killing of their prey keeps their minds sharp and senses alert.

After the kill, the hierarchy of the pack is reinforced through the snarls and love bites that last throughout a multi-hour meal.  This results in a few scrapes and an occasional bloody nose.  It almost never results to death or serious injury to members of the pack.

In many cases the carcass of the kill remains for a day and then is shared by other species as the apex predator has filled their bellies and take a nap allowing for the food to digest prior to gorging again.

It usually is not until a day or two later before the pack obtains its next meal.

The American public expects humans to kill and prepare the food for zoo predators to eat.  In order to insure that the animals on display are well groomed, free of wounds and as attractive looking as possible a number of things are done by zookeepers during a feeding.  This includes separate food stations for each animal, the majority of the meat blood being drained and removed from the meat, and in many cases the animals being fed in private.

In Europe, many zoos do carcass feed their apex predators and then fast them for a day after.  The carcasses are laid out in the public viewing areas.  Some post their feeding times so the public can view and photograph the “natural” meal times. 

To compensate for the lack of stalking and killing by their predators, most zoos have established “enrichment” programs.  Some of the enrichment activities include hiding food and treats, providing objects with treats inside so the animal has to work to get the prize, and interactive toys.  To read more about enrichment activities in zoos, go to our links page http://www.zandavisitor.com/page-713 where we have an enrichment links section.

The interesting flip side of American zoo visitor preferences is those who take trips to Africa, India, and elsewhere to see the animals in their natural habitats have a completely different view.  The number one item Americans want to see and photograph when visiting these areas is an apex predator making a kill.

The demand for this type of viewing has become so prevalent that it is now posing problems in parts of Africa and India.  In some of the remote areas, local villages are taking their livestock into protected areas to entice the predators to make a kill.  In Gir, India this has elevated to become a cottage industry.  The villagers earn more money raising and selling “livestock kills” to tourists than they could by taking them to market.

The purpose of the posting is not to take a position one way or the other.  It is to inform zoo visitors about the impact they have on the care and feeding of animals.

Do you have a source for the information about the Gir forest, and the farmers taking livestock in for the predators?

I would really appreciate it.

I have heard the crunching of bones as lions eat at night, and prefer the neat human prepared meals for the captive populations. The smell of fresh blood on the air is also not pleasant, nor is the smell of blood rich feces.

Thanks for sharing.

Best, Eric

http://www.cathouse-fcc.org/ - wildcatzoo.org

http://www.basv.org/index.html