Suggested captive diets
This section is devoted to describing the quantity and type of food that should be fed to individual captive okapi. There are many factors that influence the requirements of an animal, including age, physiological state, season and metabolic rate (Hosey et al. 2013), therefore this section has been split into subsections for clarity and ease of use.
The equation used throughout this website is one commonly used to calculate BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) in mammals (from: Klieber 1947). While this equation is old, and possibly slightly outdated, it has been chosen for this website as it provides a more generous daily energy allowance in kJ (kilojoules). Other commonly used equations provide slightly different quantities, some of which are less generous which makes it difficult to provide the 1.8% of body weight DM (Dry Matter) intake as recommended in the Okapi SPP Feeding Guidelines (Crissey et al. 2001). It is important, therefore, given the variance in dietary recommendations, to realise that the output of any equation used should be used as a guideline, rather than a hard and fast rule. It is essential to monitor the weight and condition of animals closely, making adjustments as appropriate for the individual.
The Okapi SSP Feeding Guidelines have been used as a framework for the recommendations made here. In brief, their recommendations are as follows, and can be found in more detail here:
The suggested diets formulated in the following pages, have been designed to support the nutritional requirements and feeding behavioural needs of this species, whilst taking into consideration the practicalities of supplying a diet from the keepers perspective. Therefore, a mixture of browse and lucerne hay makes up the bulk of the diets. Browse requires manipulation to consume, fulfilling natural foraging motivation. However, browse may not be available all year round; therefore, if resources allow, browse silage should be made and stored for colder months (for more details on browse silage click here). Lucerne hay can be easily stored for use all year round, and, if necessary, can be fed as an alternative to browse, should adequate browse be in short supply (Hummel et al. 2006c). Pellets make up the rest of the proportion of the diet, for reasons discussed above. Fruits and vegetables are not included in any of the suggested diet. Fruit and vegetables are not part of the wild diet of okapi (Crissey et al. 2001), and their feeding is associated with many health problems, such as rumen acidosis and laminitis (Hummel et al. 2006b) (for more information click here).
The Okapi SSP Feeding Guidelines have been used as a framework for the recommendations made here. In brief, their recommendations are as follows, and can be found in more detail here:
- Forage: Browse and high quality, leafy lucerne hay should make up at least 50% of the daily diet.
- Pellets: At least 25% of the diet should comprise of nutritionally balanced pellets, to complement the forage part of the diet, which may be lacking in certain important nutrients.
- Produce: Fruits and vegetables are not part of the wild diet of okapi. However, produce is often offered in small amounts during training and to hide medication. The Okapi SSP Feeding Guidelines recommend that no more than 25% of the captive diet should be produce. However, given the associated health problems associated with feeding produce, and more recent research which identified that many zoos are overfeeding their okapi produce and consequently experience health problems (Huisman et al. 2008), fruits and vegetables should be fed sparingly to okapi.
- Quantity: Okapi should consume at least 1.8% of their body weight daily in DM. This means that they should be offered 2 - 2.4% of their body weight (pregnant or lactating okapi are likely to require even more) (Crissey et al. 2001).
The suggested diets formulated in the following pages, have been designed to support the nutritional requirements and feeding behavioural needs of this species, whilst taking into consideration the practicalities of supplying a diet from the keepers perspective. Therefore, a mixture of browse and lucerne hay makes up the bulk of the diets. Browse requires manipulation to consume, fulfilling natural foraging motivation. However, browse may not be available all year round; therefore, if resources allow, browse silage should be made and stored for colder months (for more details on browse silage click here). Lucerne hay can be easily stored for use all year round, and, if necessary, can be fed as an alternative to browse, should adequate browse be in short supply (Hummel et al. 2006c). Pellets make up the rest of the proportion of the diet, for reasons discussed above. Fruits and vegetables are not included in any of the suggested diet. Fruit and vegetables are not part of the wild diet of okapi (Crissey et al. 2001), and their feeding is associated with many health problems, such as rumen acidosis and laminitis (Hummel et al. 2006b) (for more information click here).