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Feeding the Animals
The animal keepers at the Brandywine Zoo feed and care for the animals. They prepare the food and feed the animals twice a day. The tiger eats about 8-1/2 - 13-1/2 pounds of meat a day. But what can you expect from a 400-pound animal?
The zoo uses the services of a zoo nutritionist from the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital to decide what to feed and how much to feed the animals. The keepers watch carefully what the animals eat and how much. They want to make sure the animals are getting a balanced diet. In the zoo kitchen there are "menus" or diets posted for each species. There is a scale so everything can be weighed.
The animals are fed both specially prepared dry food, which is made by Purina for specific zoo animals, and fresh fruits and vegetables. The carnivores are fed chicken, fish, beef, rabbit and prepared meats by Natural Balance meats. There are frozen mice and rats for those who eat rodents.
WEEKLY GROCERY LIST |
Fruits
1 case apples
1 case bananas
6-8 lbs. grapes
1-2 mangos
1-2 papayas
1-2 cantaloupes
1-2 honeydew
1-2 watermelons
1 case oranges
4-6 pears
2 pints blueberries
Seasonal fruits |
Vegetables
10 lbs. carrots
1 case romaine
1 case green leaf
1 lb. spring mix
1 case yam
1 case fresh corn
1 lb. yellow squash
2-3 green peppers
4 heads kale
1 lb. snow peas |
Meat/Poultry/Fish
280 lbs. of Meat
3-4 lbs. Whole Smelt
5 Dozen Eggs
500 Crickets
1,000 Mealworms
25-35 Rats
50 Mice |
Medical Care
The animal keepers watch the animals for any signs that they might not be completely healthy. If necessary, a veterinarian is called in. The zoo uses the services of Dr. Lin Klein, a veterinarian from the University of Pennsylvania. She has been working with the animals at the Brandywine Zoo for many years. She provides routine physicals and takes care of their shots. If an animal is sick, Dr. Klein performs an examination, then she develops a treatment plan for the animal. The Brandywine Zoo also works closely with the Exotics Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania.
Animal Training and Enrichment
At The Brandywine Zoo we have historically trained the animals. However, through the introduction of "Operant Conditioning," we are now following a more structured method of training using a more positive reward system. We now have goals and methods and detailed records are kept of our progress.
Animal training is basically teaching animals to modify their behavior to fulfill a goal you have set.
At the Brandywine Zoo our priority goals are:
- Methods to improve animal management (daily care of the animal and its exhibit, crating, elimination of inappropriate behaviors, improved social relations)
- Health management (vaccinations, medications, handling, weights, early detection of illness.
- Program use for the public (keeper talks, outreach programs)
- Research (non-invasive)
- Fun interaction time between the animals and the keepers (behavioral enrichment, mental and physical stimulation)
- To enhance the animals' welfare (offering the animals a choice in their management)
Only keepers who are approved to work with designated animals are permitted to train this animal upon completion and approval of a written Animal Training Plan. Staff is encouraged to work with the animals they take care of on a daily basis.
Staff include training on a daily basis to help maintain the behaviors already trained to have the opportunity to work on new goals and behaviors.
Training helps to improve the management of these animals by easing medical care, movement in and out of areas, re-call skills, addition animal observation time, etc.
Training also enriches the animals day through contact with the keeper staff and adding variety to their day by challenging them physically and mentally.
Both target training and behavioral enrichment are tools used by almost all zoo keepers throughout the world. These techniques have become valuable tools for animal keepers to better care for their animals.
We have a "keeper watching" program every day during the summer months in which we talk about different animals and sometimes offer a training session as well. Please come and join us.
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