A review of nutritional deficiencies and toxicities in captive New World primates

Abstract

The science of providing adequate nutrition for New World primates in captivity has improved dramatically in the past decade. To utilize these advances it is important to be aware of specific metabolic diseases and/or conditions associated with nutrient deficiencies or toxicities seen in New World primates.The non-human primate may require up to 64 dietary nutrients, highlighting the importance of an appropriate diet for optimal health. A review of the major nutritional problems which occur in captive New World primates is presented to provide a basis for good nutritional management of these species.

Go for Lipids! Food Preferences and Nutrient Composition in Zoo-Housed White-Faced Sakis, Pithecia pithecia

“…Interestingly, none of the other primate species tested previously with the same approach as used in the present study showed any significant correlations between their food preferences and the contents of a vitamin (spider monkeys: Laska et al, 2000;squirrel monkeys and pigtail macaques: Laska, 2001;white-handed gibbons: Jildmalm et al, 2008;ring-tailed lemurs: Hansell et al, 2020). As captive nonhuman primates, including white-faced sakis, have been reported to be susceptible to both vitamin deficiencies and toxicities (Crissey & Pribyl, 2000;Minich et al, 2022) future studies should therefore carefully monitor the amounts of vitamins in the diet of captive primates.…”