A Case Study of Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus) Husbandry Practice Across 10 Zoological Collections

Abstract

The Malayan, or Asian, tapir (Tapirus indicus) has a diminishing wild population and is becoming more common in captivity as zoos attempt to manage sustainable ex situ populations. Tapirs can be relatively easy to maintain and breed, but captive animals appear to suffer from reduced activity budgets, obesity, and poor public image. A questionnaire-based survey was designed and sent specifically to 10 collections around the world that exhibit Malayan tapirs, with the aim of assessing husbandry regimes to determine prevalence of standardized practices as well as highlighting any key differences, and to showcase good practice, thus providing information beneficial to those maintaining this species in their zoo. Twenty-five animals were included in the survey from collections across four continents. The research's major conclusions show differing dietary make-up, with a lack of forage provision, contrasting with a diverse array of enrichment protocols used. Significant differences were noted between zoos for total amount of food offered (P = 0.000) as well as ratios of forage to concentrate pellet offered (P = 0.004). Comparing food offered to male and female tapirs with published requirements for an "average" of either gender shows not all zoos providing the amount suggested in husbandry guidelines. Intelligently designed and original enrichment was provided to all animals but differences between zoos were noted in the application and "usefulness" of enrichment for individual tapir. Overall, animals are benefiting from enrichment but welfare could be further improved via consistent feeding of ad libitum forage and regular use of browse as a constituent part of daily rations.

A global survey of banteng (Bos javanicus) housing and husbandry

“…We know that ungulates can respond well to the provision of enrichment [Rose and Roffe, ] and the creation of an enriched environment [Rose and Robert, ] so there should be no barrier to designing and implementing biologically relevant enrichment programs for banteng. Gathering evidence on wild activity budgets, promoting natural feeding and rumination periods [Baxter and Plowman, ] and using species‐specific environmental enrichment may help enhance the display of banteng to zoo visitors as well as ensure that all banteng held in zoos can achieve positive welfare states and an excellent quality of life in captivity.…”

“…One approach that characterizes the attempt to enhance zoo animal welfare via achievement of optimal husbandry standards is the development of species‐specific guidelines for zoo animals [Mellen, ; Rose and Roffe, ]. Such guidelines aim to identify the most appropriate and most suitable management approaches for particular taxa [Fletchall et al, ; Galama et al, ]; they generally contain standardized information on ecology as well as a description of how biological and behavioral needs of a species can be best met in captivity [Barber et al, ].…”

Tapiridae

“…68 Roughage maintains normal gastrointestinal (GI) function, and decreased dietary fiber is linked to problems such as rectal prolapse. 65 Concentrates used to complement nutrition from roughages include high-fiber herbivore pellets with 12% to 18% crude protein. 65 Concentrates used to complement nutrition from roughages include high-fiber herbivore pellets with 12% to 18% crude protein.…”

Specialised for the Swamp, Catered for in Captivity? A Cross-Institutional Evaluation of Captive Husbandry for Two Species of Lechwe

“…Global husbandry surveys for specific ungulate species can identify key areas of good practice as well as deviation from any published husbandry standards [ 8 ]. Such research approaches can also form the foundation for development of husbandry guidelines, using information collected from the zoos that have been surveyed [ 1 ] to fill knowledge gaps that may be a barrier to the implementation of ecologically-sound management regimes.…”