Chicago Quote Blog: Health
Healthy Profits, Inc
Posted on June 3, 2008
Don't Judge too Quickly
Posted on June 2, 2008
Zoo Animals Suffer From Ailments Common to Humans
Apparently our furry friends in captivity at zoos such as Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago suffer from health ailments that we humans deal with daily. Allergies, arthritis, dental, and obesity are all major concerns for zoo keepers caring for these magnificent animals.
Tasty, high calorie, and fattening food that was once commonly used to train or reward the animals now must be reevaluated or replaced by low calorie alternatives like sugar-free Jell-O, alfalfa biscuits, and veggies. Lindsey Tanner, an AP Medical Writer, wrote the following at Yahoo! News:
At the Toledo Zoo, lions and tigers even get whole calf carcasses and wolves chow down on deer roadkill. The idea primarily is to provide a more natural, additive-free feeding method, but it does require a little more energy than slurping from a plate.
Ummm...Sounds Tasty.
Zoo Keepers are also devising ways to encourage the animals to burn calories, keep the love handles off, and stay fit. One method is to hide bits of food around the animals' enclosures so they will move and search for their food as if on a hunt. A really interesting workout program the Saint Louis Zoo developed for the lions in residence is to fill burlap sacks up with zebra feces. Evidently the big cats enjoy dragging the sacks around their dwelling.
Whatever it takes to stay in shape I guess.
Posted on March 18, 2008
