Everything you need to know about animal care

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Feed of the poison dart frog

Source: De Pijlgifkikker, een temperamentvolle Zuid-Amerikaan, Stichting Sauria, 2005
Poison dart frogs (Dendrobatidae) are meat-eaters that live off small insects. In the wild, their diet consists of ants, termites, larvae, beetles, mites and flies. Some species have teeth and can eat larger prey.
In captivity the feed consists of springtails, greenflies, fruit flies, wax worms, curl flies and meadow plankton.

  • Springtails: are fed especially to young frogs.

  • Greenflies or plant lice: not desired on plants, but a delicacy for frogs.

  • Fruit flies: Different species, are used a lot as feed.

  • Wax worms: The small larvae are fed. Not very often, though, as the frogs may get fat. Maximum of once every 2-3 months.

  • Curl flies: For larger frogs, but not all animals like them.

  • Meadow plankton: is very diverse and can be caught by beating a dip net through the high grass. A disadvantage is that this can mainly be done during the summer when the weather is dry, and that also harmful animals can end up in the net.


    • All these animals can be cultivated. Information about the cultivation of feeding animals can be found in several books and sites. Every hobbyist or organization has its own ‘tips and tricks’.

    It is recommended to give the frogs extra vitamins and calcium. These products can be bought in specialist shops. The vitamin preparations and the calcium can not be given simultaneously. The feeding animals can be powdered for each feed or 2-3 times a week, depending on the chosen feeding schedule.
    Fruit flies can be powdered before use by putting them in a small box, adding the powder and shaking well. After this, the powdered flies can be fed to the frogs.
    Calcium can also be presented by mixing a solution of calcium and magnesium in the spraying water. The solution can be bought from the vet.

    Sacred apes

    Source: apenheul.nl, photo by Dreamodisha
    In India, the Hanuman langur is also known as the holy ape. The animal is named after the Hindu god Hanuman, which is depicted as a talking ape. Apenheul, a primate zoo in the Netherlands, now has Hanuman langurs on exhibit.

    Learning from nature

    Source: artis.nl
    A horse in a pasture wearing a zebra blanket - that's an odd sight. Is it a joke (ha ha, zebras in a Dutch pasture)? No, there's more here than meets the eye. These blankets help keep horseflies at bay.

    Living walls

    Source: news.nationalgeographic.com
    Traditionally, the Maasai people of East Africa make use of acacia thorns to protect their houses and their livestock. The prickly branches are placed around the huts in concentric circles. These ‘bomas’ function well, but the protection is lessened when the sun and heat dry out the thorns and ...

    The most dangerous snake?

    Source: news.nationalgeographic.com, photo by XLerate
    Technically, that would be the inland taipan, a snake native to Australia. It has the most toxic venom and injects the greatest amount per bite. Other snakes, however, are more dangerous and claim more victims.

    Fun with your rabbit (or guinea pig)

    Source: licg.nl
    This is the title of a short course started at De Ulebelt, a a so-called children's farm in the Netherlands. On this course, parents and children learn how to structure the life of their rabbit or guinea pig to be pleasurable and challenging.

    Herpetoduct

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl, photo by PuchatechK
    A 'herpetoduct' is a tunnel for reptiles. In 2009, RAVON and the province of Gelderland (the Netherlands) designed just such an underpass. Located near Elspeet, it appears well-suited to the various reptile species making use of it.

    Did you know that...

    EZNC
    ... a blanket with zebra stripes can protect a horse from horseflies?

    ... the Hanuman langur can jump 4 to 5 metres high?

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009
    Fundamentals of Ornamental Fish Health

    This book is a complete guide to ornamental fish health, based on thorough medical knowledge and packaged in short, very readable chapters.

    Eating poison to get a date

    Source text and photo: news.sciencemag.org, photo by Franz Kovacs
    Male animals can do some strange things to get the attention of females. Great bustards, for instance, knowingly eat poisonous beetles in order to impress potential mates. Especially during mating season, the males do this to ‘brag’ about being tough and enjoying good health.

    How crocodiles hunt

    Source: sciencedaily.com
    Crocodiles hunt in a team, as recently research has demonstrated. This makes them members of the elite club of approximately 20 animal species (including humans) with activities including sophisticated coordination among a number of individuals with different roles.

    Fish at play

    Source: scientias.nl
    Children can play for hours and hours. We are learning to recognise this same tendency in increasing numbers of animal species, even in such unexpected animals as reptiles, wasps and other invertebrates.

    Dressing up for science

    Source text and photo: news.nationalgeographic.com, photo by Tom Lynn
    Some people like to dress up as animals - and not only for Halloween or Carnival. Wearing an animal costume just might be the best way to approach animals, whether for research purposes or to care for animals to be released into the wild.

    Entowarehouse

    Source: www.entowarehouse.com
    In November, www.entowarehouse.com opened its digital doors. This Dutch start-up is responding to the insect production trend. There was already supply, there was already demand; now supply and demand are being brought together at a central location.

    Bling for a magpie

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Magpies love shiny objects. Or do they? Researchers from the University of Exeter have now dispelled this myth. Not only are magpies not especially attracted to shiny items, they are even somewhat afraid of new things.

    Bling for a magpie

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Magpies love shiny objects. Or do they? Researchers from the University of Exeter have now dispelled this myth. Not only are magpies not especially attracted to shiny items, they are even somewhat afraid of new things.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2012
    Porcupines

    Porcupines are unusual animals that pique our interest and our curiosity. Do they ever stick themselves or other porcupines with their spines? And now that we think about it, how many different species are there?

    Elephant ears

    Source: scientias.nl
    Elephants have large ears, and they can certainly hear very well. They can even perceive rain and thunderstorms 250 km away. Herds of elephants are able to adjust their routes based on the information they pick up.

    Archer fish

    Source: scientias.nl, photo by Chrumps
    The archer fish literally shoots its prey down. With great precision, it can fire a jet of water to shoot down its prey in the air. Adult archer fish seldom miss their targets.

    Dolphin talk

    Source: news.sciencemag.org
    Two years ago, dolphins were demonstrated to be able to imitate whale sounds. Now it turns out that whales can also learn the language of dolphins. Orcas are now one of the few known species with that ability.

    Insect care

    Source: sciencemag.org
    Small animals in the hot, dry Australian outback have a hard life. Every day of their lives, they are faced with the risk of dehydration. The thrips is among the smallest insects found on the Australian continent, and it has its own way of dealing with these challenges.

    Dusky pademelons

    Source: zooantwerpen.be
    If you want to see an unusual species, you can visit ZOO Antwerpen for its dusky pademelons. Pademelon is a collective term for the smallest relatives of the kangaroo and the wallaby.

    Fatherless eagle ray

    Source: burgerszoo.nl
    It's called parthenogenesis: asexual reproduction without fertilisation. This process was already known to occur in a few species of reptiles, insects and fish, including four kinds of sharks. Until now, however, parthenogenesis had never been demonstrated in a ray.

    Cheetah sextuplets

    Source text and photo: burgerszoo.nl
    Early in July, the veterinarian at Burgers' Zoo faced a remarkable task: chipping, worming and sexing six cheetah cubs. The sextuplets, born at the end of May, are doing well. A litter of six is unusual in itself (usual: three or four), and for this first-time mother even more so!

    Drone to protect rhinos

    Source: safaripark.nl
    A team of Dutch students is participating in a worldwide challenge for the purpose of keeping watch on wild animal poachers. The Dutch team will be testing their product in Beekse Bergen Safari Park, where the situation is the closest to the one that the team will encounter in Africa.

    Hunting with a pH sensor

    Source text and photo: nationalgeographic.com
    Japanese sea catfish find their prey with the help of special sensors - a very handy strategy for finding a meal in the dark seawater. These fish can sense both electrical impulses and pH changes.

    Sweet (or summer) itch

    Source: uu.nl
    Tail and mane eczema is an allergic reaction which can make many horses and ponies miserable. Although no good medication has been found for this condition, extensive research has provided us with a wealth of information.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: John Hopkins University Press, 2011
    Frogs - The Animal Answer Guide

    What do you get when you put two authors together who have years of experience with amphibians and reptiles - and you add questions everyone has wondered about and a whole bunch you have never even thought of?

    Sniffing out cancer

    Source: dierennieuws.nl
    Dogs have a keen sense of smell, but...can dogs sniff out intestinal cancer in a stool specimen? Yes they can, according to the results of a trial run jointly by the VU University Medical Center and KNGF, the Royal Dutch Guide Dog Foundation.

    World-famous marmot

    Source text and photo: greenpeaceblogs.org
    What was supposed to be a time-lapse video of a park in the United States became a social media blockbuster. The star? A marmot from Glacier National Park during an intimate moment with the camera.

    Primate culture

    Source: artis.nl
    All primates - Japanese macaques included - have a unique culture. Here, culture is taken to mean behaviour which is copied, not genetically prescribed. The Japanese macaque culture dictates that the monkeys wash their food.

    Fear of heights

    Source: news.sciencemag.org
    We don't really know if snakes are afraid of heights, but we are certain that they hang on very tightly when they climb trees. Research has demonstrated that snakes exert up to five times the effort required to keep them from falling.

    Fear of heights

    Source: news.sciencemag.org
    We don't really know if snakes are afraid of heights, but we are certain that they hang on very tightly when they climb trees. Research has demonstrated that snakes exert up to five times the effort required to keep them from falling.

    Supermother

    Source: sciencemag.org, photo by NOAA/MBARI
    A female octopus may rightly bear the title 'Supermother'. She brooded on her eggs, 1400 metres deep, for four long years. She is now gone, though, so the title is posthumous.

    Supermother

    Source: sciencemag.org, photo by NOAA/MBARI
    A female octopus may rightly bear the title 'Supermother'. She brooded on her eggs, 1400 metres deep, for four long years. She is now gone, though, so the title is posthumous.

    Fish-eating spiders

    Source text and photo: nationalgeographic.com, photo by Ingo Arndt
    A spider web for catching insects is a common sight. But there are also spiders that go searching for their prey, even if that prey is up to five times larger and lives in the water.

    Gigantic piddle

    Source: scientias.nl
    Although an elephant has a gigantic bladder and can produce a giant puddle of urine, it empties its bladder in no more time than, for example, a cat. In fact, all animals weighing more than three kilogrammes urinate for a maximum of about 20 seconds.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Bloomsbury USA, 2005
    Rats

    Rats: you either love them or hate them. This animal species triggers very diverse human reactions. In the book "Rats" the author performed research for a year in an alley near Wall Street. He got to know not only the rats, but also their friends and enemies.

    Evaluating horses' pain

    Source: uu.nl
    Horses cannot tell us whether or where they hurt. Moreover, as horses are prey animals, their instinct dictates that they not allow their pain to show. Because it can be important to learn about what they are feeling, a pain scale for horses has been developed. In Utrecht.

    Cuddle hormone

    Source: sciencemag.org
    Oxytocin is also known as the cuddle hormone. When humans inhale this medication, they become more generous, more collaborative, and more trusting. The hormone is most important in the ‘bonding’ between mammals of many species and their young.

    You've got the looks

    Source: scientias.nl, photo: William Allen/ Nature Communications
    Animal species are not all alike. And it’s best if certain species do not interbreed, as the resulting offspring can be infertile. How do fairly similar species living in the same area make sure they only mate with their own?

    Parrots and parakeets protected

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    As of the start of this month (1 July 2014), it is illegal in the Netherlands to take young parrots and parakeets away from their parents and rear them by hand. The new 'Besluit houders van dieren' (decree regarding animal keepers) includes ...

    No-stress foaling

    Source: levendehave.nl
    When the birth of a foal proceeds normally, it is not stressful for its mother. A mare delays parturition until her environment is peaceful and safe. Indeed, most foals are born at night.

    Seeking owner-app

    Source: dierenbescherming.nl
    The Dierenbescherming (animal protection agency) in the Netherlands has launched an app that makes it possible to see, anytime and anywhere, which animals are waiting in which animal shelters to find a new owner.

    Longevity

    Source: scientias.nl, photo by CC Desmodus
    Life expectancy varies considerably among members of the animal kingdom; in general, large animals live longer than small ones. Not all animal species obey this rule, however. The naked mole rat is one of them: it can live up to thirty years, which is much older than its size would seem to dictate.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated, 2010
    Reptiles, Amphibians, and Invertebrates

    This revised edition of an earlier release is, as the subtitle tells us, a guide to the identification and care of more than 250 reptile, amphibian and invertebrate species.

    Carbon monoxide

    Source: news.sciencemag.org
    News about carbon monoxide is generally not very positive. This colourless, odourless gas is usually associated with incomplete combustion, exhaust fumes and tobacco smoke, and it can lead to asphyxiation. And yet there is a great deal of it in the blood of elephant seals!

    Kusimanse

    Source: gaiazoo.nl en wikipedia.com, photo by Paradoxusik
    The species with this special name recently moved into GaiaZOO. At the moment, this is the only zoo in the Netherlands hosting these animals. The five kusimanses appear to be very satisfied in the renovated enclosure they have called home since early April.

    Decoy sheep

    Source: levendehave.nl
    This summer, decoy sheep will be pressed into service to catch ticks. The sheep have been treated with an anti-tick substance that quickly kills ticks that try to attach themselves to a sheep. Hikers and walkers should then have less trouble with the pests.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: John Hopkins University Press, 2013
    Geckos: The Animal Answer Guide

    How many species of gecko are there anyway? What do geckos eat? And how do those little beasties walk on the ceiling like that? These and many other questions grace the pages of this accessible little book about geckos.

    Eat fatty foods but stay slim

    Source: scientias.nl
    Polar bears eat primarily marine animals, such as seals, that often have a thick layer of fat under the skin. This blubber is a polar bear delicacy. Even though they take in so much fat, though, polar bears to not get fat themselves and are not troubled by heart disease - unlike humans with a high-fat diet.

    Mara on the Pampa

    Source: artis.nl
    On the Pampa at Royal Artis zoo, maras live right alongside vicunas and llamas in this South American habitat. Maras are also called Patagonian hares, though they are related not to the hare, but to the guinea pig.

    New species

    Source: news.nationalgeographic.com, photo by Viniciusmc
    In the past year, a whopping 18,000 new animals and plants have been discovered. Including remarkable finds, such as a meat-eating mammal in Ecuador and a dragon tree twelve metres high!

    Clever goats

    Source: levendehave.nl
    Goats are intelligent. They can complete complex tasks and remember them for quite a long time, as demonstrated by the research of an English-Swiss scientist. She looked at the time needed to teach a task, and if the goats still knew it after an extended period.

    Why do animals kill their young?

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    It happens both in the wild and in captivity: animals kill their young, and sometimes even eat them. Both males and females can exhibit such behaviour. Is this the (often cruel) hand of nature, or is it pathological? Biologists have yet to come to a conclusion.

    Sea cow shipped out

    Source: burgerszoo.nl, phote by Albert Kok
    The end of March saw a very remarkable animal transport. A West Indian manatee - a species of sea cow - was moved by lorry to Paris, from Burgers' Zoo in the Netherlands. This operation took place under the auspices of the European Caribbean manatee breeding programme.

    (Not) scared to go out

    Source: diergaardeblijdorp.nl
    Vungu the rhinoceros has finally ventured outside! In September he was moved from England to Blijdorp Zoo in Rotterdam, into the newly renovated pachyderm wing. At first, however, he had trouble getting used to his new home.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2006
    Animal Biology and Care

    This volume is a basic text on health and caring for a variety of animal species. After the success of its first release, this second edition was further expanded with additional information on small mammals, birds, fish and reptiles.

    Renovated outdoor enclosure

    Source: artis.nl
    The gorillas of Royal Artis Zoo can now enjoy a new outdoor enclosure, fully refurbished with new trees and plants to allow them better climbing and scrambling. The gorillas share their enclosure with white-throated monkeys and meerkats.

    Rare species

    Source: arca-net.info
    Slowly but surely we are making our way towards the summer. Holiday plans are likely taking shape. How would you like to visit a farm where Mangalitza pigs are kept? Or a place with buffalos?

    Thirsty sea snakes

    Source: scientias.nl, photo by Aloaiza
    It sounds contradictory: living in water but not drinking for months. And yet that's exactly what sea snakes do. They wait for rain and then drink the fresh water. If it doesn't rain for seven months, then that's how long they go without a drink.

    Communicating by bacteria

    Source: scientias.nl
    Animals can leave messages for each other by way of their dung; hyenas certainly do. Research has now demonstrated that bacteria are the actual message carriers.

    Social stress unhealthy?

    Source: scientias.nl
    Research on the African grey parrot seems to indicate that this is the case. Researchers found shorter telomeres in animals living in social isolation than in those living with another of their kind.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher - Saunders, 2012
    Exotic Animal Training and Learning

    This book is a special edition of the academic journal Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice. It offers the most recent information on the training and behaviour of exotic pets.

    Why not read the cat

    Source: dbca.dierenbescherming.nl
    Children reading aloud to cats in an animal shelter: the end of March saw the start of this pilot programme in the Netherlands. The children improve their reading skills and the cats become (or remain) well socialised, which increases the animals' chances of being adopted.

    Parrot hatched from taped egg

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl, photo by Mnolf
    With the help of tape and glue, an eggshell was repaired and remained whole long enough to hatch a healthy young kakapo, also known as an owl parrot. The kakapo is a very rare species of parrot native to New Zealand.

    Teenager leaves home

    Source: burgerszoo.nl
    Likalé, the rebellious gorilla teen, has been kicked out of the house. He has been moved to a zoo in France that is home to two young females. There, Likalé can become the resident stud and develop into an adult silverback.

    Sloth

    Source: artis.nl
    You would think that it would make a birth pretty special, with the mother hanging upside-down in a tree. For a sloth, though, there’s not much special about it. The sloth does nearly everything in a tree, including give birth.

    Empathetic elephants

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    Yet another species can now be added to the list of animals that demonstrate empathy and offer each other solace. Research in Thailand has shown that elephants are aware of stress in another member of the herd, and that they also know how to reassure that individual.

    Up a tree

    Source: scientias.nl
    Which animals might you expect to see in a tree? Birds, of course, and squirrels, bears, chameleons and snakes. All depending on where that tree stands. And crocodiles. Although that last addition to the list may seem strange, it has now been demonstrated scientifically: crocodiles can climb trees.

    Black and rufous elephant shrew at Blijdorp zoo

    Source: rotterdamzoo.nl
    Diergaarde Blijdorp, the Rotterdam zoo, was home to the birth of a rare black and rufous elephant shrew. This is a jumping shrew (not an elephant!) native to eastern Africa. Only four of them reside in European zoos.

    Early tortoise eggs

    Source: dierenparkamersfoort.nl, photo by Abrahami
    Due to the mild winter weather, Egyptian tortoises have laid their eggs earlier than expected. The eggs have been placed in an incubator and the keepers are waiting anxiously to find out if the eggs are fertile.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Springer; 2013
    Zoo Animal Welfare

    The welfare of zoo animals is becoming increasingly important. The authors of this book believe that a good zoo exerts utmost effort in providing for the animals, the visitors and the conservation of species.

    Matching smells

    Source: scientias.nl, photo by Frank Vassen
    The scent trails left by sifakas say a great deal about the relationships between these animals. When in love, sifakas match how they release their scent; sifaka parents give off very similar odours.

    Blue dung

    Source: dierenparkamersfoort.nl
    Animal dung can take on many forms and colours, but it is seldom blue. At DierenPark Amersfoort, though, blue dung could be found in the hyena enclosure. The animal keepers weren’t alarmed: they caused it themselves!

    A future with giant rats?

    Source: scientias.nl
    The future belongs to the rats. University of Leicester researchers predict that, because rats adapt so well to so many locations in the world, they could even evolve to giant-sized. They fill up the spaces left in ecosystems by animals that become extinct.

    The mystery of the V-formation

    Source: wetenschap24.nl
    Seeing birds fly in a V is impressive. Theory has it that flying in this formation saves energy because they keep each other out of the wind. The birds take turns flying at the front.

    New jaguar enclosure

    Source: artis.nl, photo by Bardrock
    At the start of December in Artis Royal Zoo in Amsterdam, construction began on a new jaguar enclosure. The fabulous new home for the jaguars is being erected at the location of the former maned wolf enclosure. Construction should be completed in 2014.

    Large gorilla troop

    Source: burgerszoo.nl
    After its most recent gorilla birth, at the end of November, Burgers' Zoo became home to the largest troop of western lowland gorillas in the Netherlands. In 2013 this zoo saw the birth of 5 baby gorillas: a first in the history of Burgers' Zoo.

    Old sharks

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Sharks can live much longer than we had thought. With the aid of a new research technique, the male white shark has been found to live longer than 70 years. That is three times the age previous thought possible.

    Small koala, deep voice

    Source: scientias.nl
    When mating, male koalas vocalise fairly loudly - in a very low register. These sounds are much lower than one would expect to issue from the very small body of the koala. Now, finally, there is an explanation for this animal’s deep bass.

    Rhinoceroses chipped

    Source: dierennieuws.nl
    For the first time, at the end of December, black rhinoceroses in Kenya were given a microchip in the horn and a notch in the ear. These measures are meant to curtail poaching. In the course of 2014, all 1030 rhinoceroses in Kenya should be chipped.

    Professor of human-animal studies

    Source: levendehave.nl
    The Open University in Heerlen, the Netherlands, has appointed its first professor in the field of human-animal interactions. Investigations by professor Marie-José Enders-Slegers will include whether, and to what extent, using animals for human care can lower healthcare costs.

    Renovation of the Bear Forest

    Source text and photo: alertis.nl
    For the past twenty years, the Bear Forest in Rhenen, the Netherlands, has been home to bears that had been mistreated earlier in their lives. The Bear Forest is, however, beginning to look a bit run down. High time for a renovation!

    Communication through colour

    Source: scientias.nl
    Chameleons use their colours to keep from being noticed by - and becoming prey for - other animals; this much has long been known. Now, however, it has become evident that chameleons also use their colours to communicate.

    Puts herself in their place

    Source: groenkennisnet.nl
    A prominent animal scientist makes use of her own 'handicap' in order to improve animal welfare. Temple Grandin has autism, and this helps her put herself in the place of animals - especially cows.

    Brazilian three-banded armadillo

    Source: zooantwerpen.be, photo by Ltshears
    The mascot of the 2014 football world championship in Brazil is a Brazilian three-banded armadillo named Fuleco. And why is that information included in this newsletter? Because of the recent birth of a Brazilian three-banded armadillo in the Antwerp ZOO.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Nottingham University Press, 2011
    Ruined by Excess, Perfected by Lack

    The subtitle to this book reveals its contents: "The paradox of pet nutrition." Actually, the book is about both human and animal nutrition. The author asserts that there is a big difference between current animal (and human) nutrition and the diet species have survived on since primitive times.

    Hippos and crocodiles

    Source: safaripark.nl
    From mid-2014 onward in Beekse Bergen Safari Park, visitors can admire not only the Big Five, but also the three largest animals from the African continent: the hippopotamus, the African elephant and the white rhinoceros.

    The way to a pet’s heart is through the stomach

    Source: dierennieuws.nl
    Who doesn't recognize this: offering the dog or cat a treat, just because we love them. However, we often pay no heed to the consequences of those treats. Many dogs and cats are too heavy, even though their owners believe they are of normal weight.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: National Geographic Books, 2013
    Devoted

    It's no secret to dog owners that their pets can bring lots of joy into their lives. Dogs make us laugh, keep us company, and give us their unconditional love and loyalty. However, some dogs go to even greater extremes.

    Birds during a storm

    Source: dierennieuws.nl
    What do birds do during a severe storm - such as the one that hit the Netherlands on 28 October and caused heavy damage? Most birds take cover and sit out the threatening weather.

    Milk for pandas

    Source: gla.ac.uk
    Giant pandas don't easily reproduce in captivity, and sometimes a mother panda will reject her young. In the case of twins, the mother can also feed one baby but not the other.

    From problem child to model mother

    Source: burgerszoo.eu
    In Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem, Netherlands, Makoua has given birth. This is good news in itself, but the fact that she is taking good care of her baby is even better. Makoua did not have an easy go of it while young, and slowly but surely she is learning to behave like a true gorilla.

    Lego tortoise

    Source: dierennieuws.nl
    A creative veterinarian has arranged for a tortoise to walk once again. A Lego wheel replaces the amputated front leg. Schildi the tortoise can again "race" through the garden.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Vintage Books, 2013
    Zoobiquity

    Zoo-what? The term 'zoobiquity' was coined by Barbara Natterson to bring together human and veterinary medicine. It’s not about zoonoses, those diseases that can pass from human to animal (or the other way round), but rather about ailments seen in both animals and humans.

    Himalayan monal

    Source: dierenparkamersfoort.nl
    One night earlier this year in DierenPark Amersfoort, two Himalayan monals were killed by a predator, most likely a fox. Previous to her death, the female bird had laid two eggs, so these were left orphaned.

    Well-developed brain

    Source: scientias.nl
    Of all new-born mammals, the baby Weddell seal has the most developed brain. This fact is of great importance given the dangerous environment in which they live. This well-developed brain, however, comes at a price.

    Weighty welfare problems

    Source: groenkennisnet.nl/ dierenwelzijnsweb
    For three years, 255 African and Asian elephants were studied in 70 American zoos. A team of 27 researchers focused on various elephant health indicators. Overweight and other welfare problems came to light.

    Rapid maturation

    Source: scientias.nl, photo by Ugau
    Researchers have discovered that one African fish species can reproduce at just 17 days of age: a record among vertebrates. The span of a generation for these fish is one single month, which is another record.

    Emergency drill with Cape buffalo

    Source: zooantwerpen.be
    Escaped from the Antwerp ZOO: a Cape buffalo...at least that was the scenario in a drill for the zoo's emergency plan. Recently, ZOO staff had to demonstrate that they could work well with the plan.

    Animal weigh-in

    source text and photo: zsl.org
    Both of the zoos of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) have once again held their annual weigh-in. Every single animal at both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo has once more been weighed and measured.

    An apple a day keeps the doctor away!

    Source: scientias.nl
    Crocodiles are generally seen as unmistakably carnivorous. New research, however, demonstrates that these animals also quite regularly eat fruit. And a crocodile eats fruit not only because its prey does, but also as a conscious choice.

    Cockatoo breaks lock code

    Source: scientias.nl
    Pipin is a very smart cockatoo: by opening a lock with five different latches, he gained access to a nut. Even though he had to work on the problem for nearly two hours! In the animal world, nothing like this had ever been seen before.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: CABI, 2012
    Feline Behaviour and Welfare

    Cats are favoured pets, but some felines are wild animals. This book examines the cat in a very broad context. The author seeks to apply insights on domesticated cats to understand wild felines, and vice versa.

    Open sesame!

    Source: levendehave.nl
    A British chicken-lover has thought up a unique door opener which the birds themselves can use. The last chicken to go to roost closes the door behind it. In the morning the door opens when all the chickens leave their roost.

    Strutting like a peacock

    Source: scientias.nl
    Male peacocks fan their spectacular tail feathers in order to capture the attention of females. But what do the hens find so attractive about these elaborately decorated, erect tails?

    Zebra shark birth

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl, photo by Line1
    The birth of a zebra shark has been captured on film for the first time, in the aquarium in the French city of Brest. Also a first is the fact that zebra sharks in Europe have reproduced in captivity.

    Rhinoceros foot pathology

    Source: izw-berlin.de
    Chronic foot disease is a common problem among captive Indian rhinoceroses. Difficult to treat, it represents a risk to the general health of the animal, leads to reproductive difficulties, and can also be fatal.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2013
    Odd Couples: Extraordinary Differences between the Sexes in the Animal Kingdom

    Despite the major differences between men and women (Men are from Mars, Women from Venus), these variations between the sexes are nothing compared to those in some animal species. Differences along gender lines can account for a 50-factor size difference!

    Planckendael Cinereous Vulture

    Source: planckendael.be, photo by Osado
    A cinereous vulture from Planckendael, Belgium has produced offspring in southern France. That's very special news, as this is the first young of its species in 157 years. The vulture father, Jean, was born at Planckendael and released in southern France in its youth.

    Noise

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    Animals can growl, howl, twitter, chirp, and make many other sounds. Some members of the animal kingdom can surprise us with the volume of their calls relative to their size, or their ways of producing sound.

    Will work for food

    Source: dierennieuws.nl
    Parrots prefer to work for their food. Research in Utrecht demonstrated that the birds would rather be required to work harder to get their supper than just eat what's put in front of them. This applies, by the way, to healthy parrots. Feather-plucking parrots choose the easy way out.

    Rabbits under anaesthesia

    Source: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
    A rabbit put under anaesthesia for an operation is at much higher risk than, for instance, a dog or cat. Two specialists at the University Clinic for Companion Animals (UKG) have helped develop an instrument which lowers this risk.

    Tweeting badger

    Source: themediaonline.co.za
    A badger on Twitter? Why not? That was the thinking at the Johannesburg Zoo, which was seeking to incorporate new media in its campaigns. Now BG, the honey badger, speaks - tweets - for the zoo.

    Second-hand smoke: harmful

    Source: licg.nl
    Even dogs and cats suffer from the effects of second-hand smoke. British experts have found that the dogs and cats of owners who smoke have twice as much chance of developing cancer as their counterparts living smoke-free.

    Showing off for nothing

    Source:sciencemag.org
    Male strawberry poison-dart frogs work very hard to conquer females. Vying for mates, they make constant, loud vocalisations. A new study, however, demonstrates that all that hard work is just not necessary.

    25,000 animals

    Source: dierenparkamersfoort.nl
    The arrival of 25,000 animals at once in a zoo is quite unusual. In DierenPark Amersfoort, however, this recently came to pass. A bee colony consisting of that many individuals found a new home at that zoo's HundredthousandAnimalHouse.

    Gulls and humans

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl, photo by Stefano Corso
    How do humans influence the seagull population? A scientist from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) went looking for the answer.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Harper Perennial, 2011
    Some We Love, Some We Eat, Some We Hate

    The subtitle says it all: 'Why It's So Hard to Think Straight About Animals'. A puppy can be a beloved pet in Kansas, an unwanted pest in Kenya, and a tasty bite in South Korea. This book discusses our very disparate standpoints regarding animals.

    Tongues

    Source: softpedia.com
    An item in this newsletter regarding the anteater's long tongue spurred a reader to pass along a tip on an entire list of fun facts about tongues. We include here a link to the article, following several of these little-known titbits.

    Paternity testing in rays

    Source: M. Janse, Burgers' Zoo
    Employees from Burgers' Zoo and Gendika have worked together to develop a paternity test for young rays. The test determines the identity of the father as an aid in the prevention of inbreeding-a very important issue in zoo populations.

    Gorilla twins

    Source text and photo: burgerszoo.nl
    Imagine the zookeepers' surprise when, in mid-June, they saw not one, but two gorilla babies with their mother, N'Gayla. She was known to be pregnant - but the birth of gorilla twins is very rare.

    Velvety skin

    Source text and photo: sciencemag.org/sciencenow
    In their rainforest habitat, West African Gaboon vipers lie for hours in wait until tasty prey comes along. Then they strike like lightning, immobilising their prey with their poisonous fangs.

    Jamaican iguanas

    Source text and photo: Evert Henningheim, Dutch Iguana Foundation
    From Evert Henningheim of the Dutch Iguana Foundation we received an interesting report on the world's most endangered lizard species, the Jamaican iguana. The report describes the health screening and release of a group of hatchlings.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press (2011)
    Small wild cats – the animal answer guide

    In general, large members of the cat family appear more frequently in the news, and are more often a subject of discussion. Many do not know that these large cats (lion, tiger) are more the exception than the rule. The cat family has more small members than large ones.

    Corsac fox switch

    Source: wisselzoo.nl
    For the past year and a half, a couple of male corsac foxes (also known as steppe foxes) have been living at Dierenpark de Wissel. That is to say, they arrived at Wissel from a German zoo as a couple of males – but at the end of March, this pair had six young!

    An app for that zoo

    Source: dierenparkamersfoort.nl
    Zoos are keeping up with the times. In Dierenpark Amersfoort, for instance, a special three-component concept - consisting of information signs near the animals, an app, and theme booklets - was launched, to lend depth to visitors' zoo experience.

    Cannibalism in utero

    Source: NU.nl, wikipedia
    Sand tiger shark embryos eat their half-sisters and -brothers while they are still in the uterus. A group of American researchers studied fifteen dead, pregnant sand tiger sharks.

    Ground cuscus

    Source: artis.nl
    A marsupial from the order Diprotodontia, the ground cuscus is a nocturnal animal present in the wild in Papua New Guinea, in Indonesia on the Aru Islands, and on the islands of New Guinea, Yapen, Misool and Salawati.

    Tiger twins

    Source: burgerszoo.eu
    A well-designed nesting box for the Sumatran tiger at Burgers' Zoo in the Netherlands appears to be a success: in early May, a pair of tiger twins was born there. In order to avoid stress for the mother, the young are being monitored only by camera.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Nothingham University Press (2010)
    Spot the difference

    Are cheetahs actually just large domestic cats? Although the domestic cat is often used as a model for the cheetah, this is apparently not always appropriate. This book provides indications for domains in which the cheetah is unique and has species-specific needs.

    Bear brain surgery

    Source: nationalgeographic.com, Photograph courtesy Matt Hunt
    Champa, a three-year-old Asiatic black bear, has made medical history. She is the first bear in the world to have undergone brain surgery. Romain Pizzi, a veterinarian in Scotland, treated this bear for hydrocephalus - also known as 'water on the brain'.

    Cartilage

    Source: uu.nl
    Larger animals have thicker bones, but their this does not hold true for their cartilage. This could point to increased risk of joint wear in larger animals like humans.

    Gorilla Adventure

    Source: gorilla-adventure.nl
    Ouwehands Zoo opened the doors of its Gorilla Adventure at the end of March. This exhibit has been in the planning and realisation stages since 2010. The animals there are to be offered enough challenges to keep them in good condition.

    Animal self-medication

    Source: wetenschap24.nl
    Great apes and many other animal species are known to make use of therapeutic plants. In the journal Science, biologist Jaap de Roode makes a case for more research on this topic.

    Animal lives saved

    Source: groenkennisnet.nl/dierenwelzijnsweb
    The pet donor card is helping to reduce the number of animals used for laboratory testing. Currently, all small domestic animals used for anatomy courses at Utrecht University are deceased pets whose remains have been donated by their owners.

    Smallest bird species

    Text and photo source: avifauna.nl
    Avifauna bird park now offers visitors a chance to view two unusual bird species. One of the two is the smallest bird species found in any European zoo: the 'witneksaffier', a species of hummingbird that weighs only 3.5 grams and is a mere 8 cm long.

    Smelling in stereo

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    Moles are practically blind, but they make up for it by smelling in stereo. Most mammals, including humans, see and hear in stereo, but smelling in this fashion has been demonstrated in only a few animals.

    Hippotopia

    Source: zooantwerpen.be
    Located in the middle of ZOO Antwerp (Belgium) is Hippotopia, now open for visitors. This biotope for hippopotamuses, Dalmatian pelicans, Malaysian tapirs and river rats has undergone quite a renovation. Visitors can now see the animals better, and the boundary between animal habitat and visitors has been downplayed.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2011
    Fishes: The Animal Answer Guide

    Our planet is home to approximately 30,000 fish species. Almost anywhere there is water, there are fish. The variation in size is enormous: from gobies of no more than a centimetre in length to sunfish that weigh more than 2000 kg and reach a height (fins included) of more than 4 metres.

    Puzzles just for fun

    Source: scientias.nl
    Many people enjoy puzzles. They require no prize; working toward a solution is a reward in itself - and this appears to be true for chimpanzees as well. In a British zoo, researchers provided a puzzle for chimpanzees.

    Crack the nut

    Bron: news.sciencemag.org, photo by Jose Reynaldo da Fonseca
    Bearded capuchins (Cebus libidinosus) use the hammer-and-anvil technique to crack hard nuts. After placing it on a stone or tree trunk, they crack a nut with another stone.

    Giant anteaters with spring fever

    Source: overloonzoo.nl
    It happens in the wild, and also in zoos: many animals are struck by spring fever. This is also true at Zoo Parc Overloon (Netherlands), where the first loving mating of the giant anteaters has taken place.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Channel View Publications, 2010
    Zoos and Tourism

    Zoos (and aquariums) are important and popular tourist attractions. Worldwide, most zoos are located in or near the larger cities. The zoos are visited along with all other important attractions.

    Cockroach cleanliness

    Source: sciencemag.org, photo by Gary Alpert
    Cockroaches have a bad reputation. People think of them as dirty creatures that live in filthy environments. This is far from the truth. Cockroaches are quite fastidious - especially with regards to their antennae.

    Fine collaboration

    Source: scientias.nl, photo by Jenny
    The anemonefish, also known as the clownfish (and made famous by the animated fish Nemo) has an unusual relationship to the sea anemone. This little fish is allowed to hide among the tentacles of the anemone, and in return it eats the parasites that threaten the anemone.

    Camouflaged eggs

    Text and photo source: nationalgeographic.com, photo by George Lovell
    Japanese quails are birds that spend most of their time on the ground. The eggs are laid on the ground as well, where they are easy prey for rodents, snakes and deer. Female quail choose where to lay their eggs in order to best camouflage them.

    Woolly monkeys

    Source: apenheul.nl
    A scholarly article about woolly monkeys was featured in an earlier newsletter, about hand-rearing and reintroduction of the animals in the group. Woolly monkeys are also featured as one of the species housed at Apenheul (Netherlands).

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Roodbont Uitgeverij (2012)
    Horse Signals

    The subtitle of this book is 'Look, think, act'. And that is just what the authors ask of the reader. Take a good look at your own horse and other horses, think about what you are seeing, and then act accordingly. The book Horse Signals teaches you the 'difference between looking and seeing'.

    Bowerbirds

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    Bowerbirds are known for the extraordinary constructions they build to attract mates. Most bowerbird males decorate their bowers with brightly coloured and/or shiny objects; the great bowerbird, however, has its own method.

    Shark embryos keep still

    Source: nationalgeographic.com, photo by Zul M. Rosle
    All living beings emit a weak electrical field. Sharks can 'feel' this with special sense organs, and some shark species use this sense to find their prey. Shark embryos, in their egg cases, also produce a weak electrical field.

    Koala baby

    Source: planckendael.be
    Recently, in Planckendael (Belgium), a koala baby has regularly been seen poking its nose out of its mother’s pouch. Yet six months have already passed since the birth of this koala. Now how does that work?

    Watching dogs watch

    Source: sciencemag.org
    If you put a dog in front of the television, it may or may not look at what’s on the screen. But if a person on the screen looks right at the dog and speaks to it, the dog will watch intently.

    Animal navigation systems

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    Animals can do extraordinary things. In Florida, a family lost its pet cat during an outing. The cat, Holly, found her way to her house again, even though it meant a 320-kilometre journey. Her success is remarkable, but not unique: other animal species undertake huge travels as well.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006
    Squirrels: The Animal Answer Guide

    The subtitle of this book reads: 'Q&A for the Curious Naturalist'. And this is just how the book is written. In an accessible question-and-answer format, the book provides the reader with a great deal to learn about the 278 squirrel species on our planet.

    Christmas trees at the zoo

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    The December holidays are over and the Christmas tree has been done away with: replanted, incinerated or thrown into the compost. Or given to a zoo! In many zoos, Christmas trees are being used for environmental enrichment.

    Clever Eurasian jays

    Source: cam.ac.uk
    Eurasian jays are clever birds. They take other Eurasian jays into account when they hide their own food or when they see another bird hiding something. This study is the first to demonstrate this effect in members of the crow family.

    White-headed marmosets in the Primate House

    Source: artis.nl
    A year and a half ago, during the summer of 2011, the Primate House at Artis Zoo (Amsterdam) was reopened to the public after a major renovation. The Primate House is home to more than twenty different animal species and is designed as a tropical forest.

    What is a ball?

    Source: scientias.nl
    For humans, the answer is rather evident. A ball can be large or small, fuzzy or smooth, and still be a ball. Young children learn this quickly. If a tennis ball is a ball, they soon recognise that a football is also a ball. However, this process works quite differently in dogs.

    Unusual urination in turtle: through the mouth

    Source: nationalgeographic.com, photo by Monika Korzeniec
    A turtle species native to China has an unusual way to shed the waste product urea: by rinsing its mouth. In most animals, urea is excreted in the urine. In other words, this turtle would seem to pee through its mouth.

    City grasshoppers and country grasshoppers

    Source: nationalgeographic.com, photo by GU Tolkiehn
    Grasshoppers from urban (= noisy) areas make more noise to attract females than grasshoppers from more rural, quiet areas. They also do this in a quiet lab environment, which suggests that it is not a temporary, spontaneous adaptation.

    First male, then female

    Source: artis.nl
    Ribbon eels are bizarre animals, colourful and with a surprising nose. Among its many strange traits are the tubular nostrils at the front of the head which flatten out into leaf-shaped protrusions, and the two round openings near the eyes.

    Riot shields at the zoo

    Source: bbc.co.uk
    At a British zoo, keepers bear police riot shields to enter the crane enclosures. As these birds often attack intruders, keepers were trained by police officers and can now make good use of the riot shields.

    Lizard's new tail

    Source: scientias.nl, photo by R. Colin Blenis
    A lizard can allow its tail to be broken off and then grow a new one. If a predator has a lizard by the tail, the reptile can survive by letting the appendage go. The new tail, however, is never as good as the old one.

    Yellow mongooses meet lions

    Source: zooantwerpen.be
    The Antwerp zoo now has an enclosure set up to be shared by lions and yellow mongooses. What makes this interesting is that the lion, of course, is a predator, and the yellow mongoose is prey.

    Hard life for female Komodo dragon

    Source: eurekalert.org
    The average life span of the female Komodo dragon is only half of that of her male counterpart. A research team concludes that this may be a result of the heavy physical labour necessary to produce and protect her offspring.

    Sustainable herring for sea lions

    Source: nvddierentuinen.nl
    From now on, the sea lions in Blijdorp zoo (Rotterdam) eat sustainable , MSC-certified herring. This is yet another step in the zoo's sustainability plan. Earlier actions included a change to sustainably produced soy in animal feed.

    Crab-eating macaque shipped out

    Source: aap.nl, dierenbescherming.nl
    At the end of October, there was a big shipping operation at AAP Rescue Centre for Exotic Animals in Almere, the Netherlands. A group of eighteen crab-eating macaques was moved from the monkey island to Menorca, one of the Balearic islands (Spain). There, the animals enjoy large indoor and outdoor quarters.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2011
    Oxford Textbook of Zoonoses

    Zoonoses are illnesses which are naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans. Transmission can occur through direct contact with the animal, by contact with carcasses, via contaminated food or water, or through inhaling infected dust.

    Crocodiles are sensitive animals

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    Crocodiles have the reputation of being dangerous, armoured to the teeth. Surprisingly, however, crocodiles and alligators are actually very sensitive animals. Their mouths are even more sensitive to the touch than human fingertips.

    Brownbanded bamboo shark

    Source: dierenparkemmen.nl, photo by Zul M Rosle
    Earlier this year, this newsletter reported on the completely unexpected birth of two blacktip reef sharks in the Emmen (Netherlands) zoo. The birth was so surprising because, though this shark is common in aquariums and zoos, it was the first reported birth of this species in captivity.

    Google Seaview

    source: scientias.nl, photo: Google maps
    Since the end of September, a small piece of the Great Barrier Reef can be enjoyed from the comfort of our armchairs! Google has launched Seaview: the underwater version of Streetview. Together with the University of Queensland, they are charting the submerged ocean reefs.

    Montserrat oriole

    Source text and photo: avifauna.nl
    During a burglary in 2009, songbirds were stolen from the Netherlands' Avifauna Bird Park. Enormous media coverage of the theft facilitated the return of the birds within one week. Among the stolen birds was a pair of the very rare Montserrat orioles. The park now reports the first hatching of this species since then.

    Mangalitsa pigs in Almere

    Source: levendehave.nl
    The municipality of Almere (Netherlands) is making use of Mangalitsa pigs in the battle against the giant hogweed. Earlier trials using sheep to rid Almere's Kromsloot Park of the hogweed were unsuccessful. All hope is now focused on the Hungarian pigs.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2011
    Animal Tool Behavior: The Use and Manufacture of Tools by Animals

    This is the revised edition of a book published in 1980, the first book containing all the existing literature on the making and use of tools by nonhuman animals. The author, Benjamin B. Beck, demonstrated that very diverse ...

    Genes against altitude sickness

    Source: uu.nl
    Yaks live in the highlands of Tibet under very barren conditions. Scientists from universities in China and the Netherlands have now discovered that yaks possess extra genes to allow them to survive under these extreme conditions.

    Breeding eagle rays

    Source: burgerszoo.eu
    The birth of two white-spotted eagle rays makes Burgers' Zoo (Netherlands) the biggest breeder of this species of ray. Biologists and animal keepers were able to celebrate births of this animal for the twentieth and twenty-first time.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2007
    Observing Animal Behaviour: Design and Analysis of Quantitative Data

    The power of observation before, and even instead of, experimentation on animal behaviour is demonstrated in this book. It starts with simple methods for observation and goes on to cover modern techniques that can be adapted for the analysis of behaviour.

    Bat count

    Source: burgerszoo.eu, photo by Desmodus
    All of the Seba's short-tailed bats at Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem (Netherlands) have now had their annual check-up. The bats live in the Adventure Tunnel between the Bush (an enclosed rainforest) and Desert eco-displays. Once a year all of the animals are caught and examined.

    Fennec foxes

    Source: nvdzoos.nl, photo by Su Neko
    Fennecs are the smallest member of the fox family. Aqua Zoo Friesland, in the north of the Netherlands, has adapted an enclosure to house these animals: a good layer of sand was brought in so that the foxes can do their digging, and ...

    Largest freshwater fish

    Source: nvddierentuinen.nl
    Since the end of July, arapaima have inhabited aquariums at three zoos in the Netherlands: Dierenpark Emmen, Artis and Diergaarde Blijdorp. The fish were confiscated from a Dutch importer who didn’t have the right documents.

    Ploughshare tortoises

    Source: diergaardeblijdorp.nl
    Thirteen ploughshare tortoises confiscated in Asia have been divided among three European zoos, and will be used to establish a European breeding programme. One of these zoos is Diergaarde Blijdorp in Rotterdam..

    Apps for Apes

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Humans aren't the only ones who love electronic gadgets: apes can also appreciate them. In Canadian and US zoos, it was discovered that orangutans were interested in apps. Twelve zoos introduced tablets for the apes.

    How does a manta foetus breathe?

    Source: rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org
    The giant oceanic manta ray is the largest member of the ray family. Giant rays are live-bearing but, because they are not mammals, they have neither placenta nor umbilical cord. How, then, does the developing foetus get oxygen?

    Young gorillas dismantle a trap

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    Just a few days after one member of their group had been killed by a trap, two young gorillas were seen dismantling one trap, and later another. This observation by gorilla conservationists was a first.

    Parrots can use logic

    Source: scientias.nl
    In an interesting experiment, researchers have shown that African grey parrots can use logic just as well as a three-year-old human child.

    Cheetah world record sprint

    Source: scientias.nl, photo by James Temple
    At the recent Olympic Games, Usain Bolt set an Olympic record by running the 100 metre dash in 9.63 seconds. But that was a snail’s pace compared to Sarah, the cheetah at the Cincinatti Zoo: she can do 100 m in only 5.95 seconds!

    Monkey Tree Top Trail

    Source: apenheul.nl, photo by Petra Karstedt
    At the Netherlands' Apenheul park, visitors can see the monkeys up close. The Monkey Tree Top Trail ('Apenboompad') there is a route amongst the treetops and amongst the monkeys. Visitors find themselves at monkey-level and can observe these primates close by, in the animals' own environment.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010
    Behavior of Exotic Pets

    This book was written by behavioural experts with a great deal of practical experience. It covers an extensive range of exotic animal species. The book includes various types of problem behaviours and their treatment.

    Caring properly for care animals

    Source: groenkennisnet.nl/dierenwelzijnsweb
    In June, the symposium ‘Caring Properly for Care Animals’ was held, organised by students of the major Animals in Health Care within the Bachelor of Animal Management programme at Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences (Leeuwarden, the Netherlands).

    Helping Hands

    Source: monkeyhelpers.org, photo by David M. Jensen
    Helping Hands is a non-profit organisation in the United States where capuchin monkeys are reared and trained to help humans. The monkeys become the helping hands of those in need, many of whom have spinal cord injuries.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Academic Publishers, 3rd Revised edition, 2010
    Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy: Theoretical Foundations and Guidelines for Practice

    In the ten years since the first edition of this book was released, the field of animal-assisted therapy has changed considerably. This third edition includes ten completely new chapters, and the original chapters have undergone rigorous editing.

    HeroRATS

    Source: herorat.org
    In East Africa trained rats are being used to find mines or detect tuberculosis. The HeroRATs, as they are called, are giant pouched rats that are trained by means of clickertraining.

    On the bookshelf

    Publisher: Springer; 2012 edition (May 7, 2012)
    Therapy Dogs in Cancer Care

    Dogs visiting cancer patients have a positive influence on the stress, loneliness and mood changes that can play an important role in these patients’ care. The dogs can also motivate patients to participate in rehabilitation programmes ...

    Dutch Cell Dogs

    Source: dutchcelldogs.nl and groenkennisnet.nl/dierenwelzijnsweb
    The focus of one of the presentations at the symposium 'Caring Properly for Care Animals' was the Dutch Cell Dogs project, which helps detainees train dogs from shelters to improve the chances that these animals will find a new home.

    Animal fathers

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    Father's Day is over now, and so is the special attention paid to human fathers. But what is the role of fathers in the animal world? In many species, care for the young is the mother's job, or the young must look out for themselves directly after their birth.

    Book

    Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd; 2nd Revised edition, 2009
    Introduction to Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology

    This book, a practical volume with many drawings, diagrams and photographs, provides a good overview for those wanting to know more about the anatomy and physiology of pets. This second, revised edition has new features, including an entirely new chapter on horses.

    Great Ape Heart Project

    Source: groenkennisnet.nl and greatapeheartproject.org
    Great apes in captivity are at increased risk for heart disease. To study its causes, a group of researchers from the United States and the United Kingdom work together in the Great Ape Heart Project.

    Amazing bat

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    A tiny bat with a very long tongue made its television debut on National Geographic Channel. The bat was filmed from a very special angle: a micro camera gave us the inside view of a flower's very long neck.

    Tanja the hippo is back

    Source: artis.nl
    Deceased animals don't usually return to their zoo home. But Tanja the hippopotamus is back in Artis, the Royal Amsterdam Zoo, two years after her death. The 'stuffed' animal is featured in a hippopotamus exhibition.

    Elephant underpass

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    In the Netherlands, ecoducts are a familiar sight, arching over highways to provide a safe connecting path for animals. Tunnels are also common there, to offer smaller species a safe route. Kenya now has a special feature to help animals, one not seen in the Netherlands: an elephant underpass.

    Tuatara cuts up its food

    Source: scientias.nl
    Through its complex chewing action, the tuatara cuts up its food before eating it. Many other animals do this, of course - but they are all mammals. This is the first description of this technique in a reptile.

    Book

    Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2011
    Rabbits: The Animal Answer Guide

    Many people know that rabbits and hares are related, but pikas are also part of the family: these lesser-known cousins to rabbits and hares are grouped with them in the order Lagomorpha. These animals are not rodents, as is often assumed.

    Rewilding Europe

    source: trouw.nl, photo by Per Harald Olsen
    A collaboration between World Wildlife Fund and various European conservation organisations aims to revive complete ecosystems while providing abandoned areas with a new economic impulse.

    Rubbish chicken

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl and gooik.be
    Members of 300 families in the Belgian municipality of Gooik no longer put their kitchen rubbish in the compost container or rubbish bin. Instead, they feed it to chickens they were able to buy at a discount. Schools and homes for the elderly participate as well.

    Blotches reveal age

    Bron: onlinelibrary.wiley.com
    A long neck and a coat covered in spots: these are the most noticeable characteristics of the giraffe. Each of these animals has a unique pattern of blotches, and each subspecies is characterised by a different blotch shape and colour.

    Goliath heron

    Source: safaripark.nl and allevogels.nl, photo by Steve Garvie
    With a name like that, they must be big. Indeed, the goliath is the world's largest heron, up to a metre and a half tall, and is also referred to as the giant heron. Its habitat is in Central Africa.

    Bears heal during hibernation

    Source: scientias.nl
    It is a well-known fact that getting adequate rest and sleep plays an important role in healing. Not yet known was that the healing process of bears in hibernation is active. Observations of American black bears confirmed this fact.

    Marmoset

    Source: marmosetcare.com and waza.org
    Marmosets are species of New World monkeys belonging to several genera of the Callitrichidae family. An extensive website devoted to the common marmoset reveals plenty of information on how the animals live in the wild and how they should be managed in captivity.

    Orangutan nests

    Source: scientias.nl
    Orangutans in the wild build a new nest every day to sleep in at night. Researchers have studied a number of these nests and have also filmed nest-building orangutans.

    Gluten intolerance in horses

    source: medicalfacts.nl
    Among sport horses, chronic inflammatory small bowel disease (ISBD) is on the increase. Dressage horses appear to be especially susceptible. This disease is associated with recurring colic, anaemia, weight loss and poor performance, and could be ...

    Book

    The Illustrated Guide to Chickens

    This book's subtitle is: 'How to Choose Them - How to Keep Them', and that describes the information inside, though it doesn’t do justice to the inclusion of such wonderful illustrations throughout the book.

    Bumblebee gecko

    Source: nationalgeographic.com, photo by Robert Fischer (USGS)
    One of the islands in Papua, New Guinea is the backdrop for the recent discovery of a special gecko. A researcher from the United States on Manus Island looking for snakes was approached by a local resident with two unusual geckos.

    Philippine spotted deer

    Source: rotterdamzoo.nl and waza.org
    The Philippine spotted deer is an endangered species found in the wild on two of the Philippine islands, Negros and Panay. In zoos these animals are involved in rearing programmes linked to conservation programmes in the Philippines.

    Summer course: Husbandry of rescued primates

    Source: aap.nl
    AAP Rescue centre for Exotic Animals is offering a course this summer: Husbandry of rescued primates. This is an in-depth course focusing on primate rescue, rehabilitation and eventual placement.

    Blacktip reef shark

    Source: dierenparkemmen.nl
    Encountering not two, but four sharks in the shark basin made for a big surprise: according to Dierenpark (Animal park) Emmen in the Netherlands this is a unique event, as blacktip reef sharks had not been known to reproduce in captivity.

    Book

    Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2011
    Animal Migration: A Synthesis

    Migration is the process of animals relocating from one habitat to another. Directed migration is sometimes referred to as a 'trek'. Much has been written about animal migration, especially as it relates to birds.

    Largest conservation area in the world

    Source: WNF
    Mid-March marked the opening of the world’s largest, trans-boundary conservation area. It spans portions of five countries, is ten times the size of the Netherlands, and offers safety to many well-known African animal species.

    Webcams in shelter

    Source text and photo: dierenbescherming.nl
    Modern technology has been put to good use to improve the care for animals in a shelter and, even more importantly, to help find these animals a good home.

    Tibetan macaque twins

    Source: scientias.nl, photo: Noel Rowe
    In most primate species, twins are rare. This is not altogether illogical, as carrying and providing food for two young at once costs so much energy. Yet a Tibetan macaque female was observed raising a pair of twins successfully.

    Marabou stork chicks

    Source: rotterdamzoo.nl, rijnmond.nl, photo: Cacophony
    Friday the 13th was no unlucky day in Diergaarde Blijdorp: that day saw three marabou stork chicks emerge from their eggs. A first for this Rotterdam zoo. And there are four more eggs divided among two other nests.

    Turtle hatchling highways

    Source: scientias. nl
    Ocean currents serve as 'highways' for young turtles: this was discovered in recent research. These highways bring the newly hatched turtles more quickly into deeper, safer water.

    The 'why' of zebra stripes

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    Why does a zebra have a black-and-white pattern of stripes? This could have to do with camouflage, as the stripes make it more difficult for colour-blind lions to see them in tall grass.

    Leopard sharks

    Source: burgerszoo.eu, photo: Martin Holst Friborg Pedersen
    Burgers' Zoo has scored a global first! Sperm was harvested from a male leopard shark and introduced into a female leopard shark, after which both sharks were returned to their aquarium and swam on as if nothing had happened.

    Book

    Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2011
    Carnivores of the World

    This field guide contains descriptions of all 245 terrestrial species of true carnivores, from the very familiar lions, tigers and bears to the little-known genets and caracals, and from the gigantic polar bear to the tiny weasel.

    Dogs react to communication like children

    Source: nu.nl
    Many dog owners treat their canines as if they were young children. Their pets' reactions are surprisingly similar to those of young children. Hungarian researchers have confirmed this experimentally.

    Animal Friendships

    Publisher: Cambridge University Press 2011
    Social behaviour between animals exists in many forms. There has been much research on aggressive behaviour, yet more often animal interactions are of a positive nature. This book explores non-sexual bonding behaviour in various bird and mammal species.

    Live-bearing lizard mates

    Source: scientias.nl, photo Marek Szczepanek (CC)
    The more often they have mated, the more choosy female viviparous lizards become. Though the 'quality' of the male doesn't matter to females for their first pairing, they are much more critical when accepting their next mate.

    Imitation of an imitation

    Source: scientias.nl
    Animals do extraordinary things to avoid ending up in other animals' bellies. A small fish has been seen to imitate an octopus that acts just like a fish. Confusion all around.

    Shiny bird breast

    Source: discovery.com
    The males of a certain bird of paradise species have unique breast feathers that can reflect light in all directions at once, giving the male's breast a disco mirror ball effect.

    Colour predicts toxicity

    Source: nu.nl
    Researchers have discovered a correlation between the toxicity and colour of frogs. This relationship was the most visible to birds, the frog's most important natural enemy.

    Orangutans as a model for humans

    Source: nu.nl
    Orangutan teeth and molars strongly resemble those of our ancestors. Researchers say we need to understand orangutan diets in order to comprehend how our own teeth have developed.

    Enormous growth

    Source: nationalgeographic.com, photo: Mariluna
    High levels of fatty acids in the blood of pythons increase the size of their heart and other organs after a copious meal. The enlarged organs enable the animals to process an enormous meal in a short time.

    Orangutans as a model for humans

    Source: nu.nl
    Orangutan teeth and molars strongly resemble those of our ancestors. Researchers say we need to understand orangutan diets in order to comprehend how our own teeth have developed.

    Snowy owl

    Bron: news.bbc.co.uk
    The white feathers of the snowy owl reflect the sunlight, announcing the presence of the bird to its rivals. Ten years of studying the snowy owl has yielded much information for researchers from Canada and Spain.

    Relation of placenta to gestation period

    Source: scientias.nl
    The gestation periods of mammals vary widely. Animal size accounts for some of the differences, but research has now shown that the structure of the placenta is of paramount importance in determining gestation time.

    Book

    Publisher: Delmar Cengage Learning, 2008
    Exotic Animal Care and Management

    Just as the title indicates, this book is about exotic animals, and specifically those kept as pets. The basic assumption is that most medical problems in exotic animals are the result of a lack of knowledge about specific animal species.

    Pet roles

    Source: physorg.com
    The place of a dog or cat in a household is dependent on the place where their owners are from. According to David Blouin, a researcher at Indiana University South Bend (USA), this factor, together with the presence of children in the household, largely determines a pet’s status.

    Monk vulture released

    Source: burgerszoo.eu, photo by Sebastian Wallroth
    A young monk vulture from Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem has been shipped off to the southwest of France, where French biologists will release the bird into the wild in the Verdon region - but this is not a first.

    Enrichment for rabbits

    Source: Dierenbescherming-utrecht.nl and Knaag&Ko
    Behavioural enrichment (also called environmental enrichment) is the introduction of elements to an animal's enclosure to allow the animal to exhibit more of its natural behaviours, providing distraction and keeping the animal active and healthy.

    Monkey trio

    Source: aap.nl
    At the end of September a remarkable monkey trio arrived at the Stichting (Foundation) AAP: a Hamadryas baboon, a crab-eating macaque and a mona monkey. The three had lived together in one cage for years, despite their very different species.

    Herring school

    Source: rotterdamzoo.nl
    At the Oceanium in Rotterdam Zoo Blijdorp a new, large school of herring is now swimming among the barracudas, sharks, tarpons and other predator fish in the big shark tank.

    Asian elephant is a true social networker

    Source: scientias.nl, nu.nl, biomedicalcentral.com
    Until recently it was assumed that Asian elephants, as compared to their African cousins, are not very social. Research by Sri Lankan scientists has now shown that they are true social networkers.

    Book

    Publisher: Sinauer, 2011
    Principles of Animal Communication

    Communication between animals is a hot topic within various fields, and it has been the object of much research in recent years. This second edition of the book 'Principles of Animal Communication' reflects these trends.

    Book

    Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011
    An Introduction to Zoo Biology and Management

    The target audience for this book is students of animal management, biology and wildlife, but it is also a handy reference work for zookeepers and zoo professionals.

    Crested cariama

    Source: overloonzoo.nl and kasteeltuinen.nl, photo by Manfred Werner
    The crested cariama, or red-legged seriema, is a terrestrial bird originating in South America. This bird seldom flies, instead running away when threatened. Seriemas used to be categorised as gruiformes (crane-like), ...

    Meerkat recognises voices

    Source: scientias. nl
    Meerkats recognise each other, among other means, by their voices: evidence that we humans aren't so special after all. This is the conclusion of researchers from Switzerland who conducted experiments with meerkats and published results in Biology Letters.

    Scheltopusik

    Source: artis.nl, reptilepark.com.au
    This somewhat curious name belongs to a lizard species, one of the largest from the slow worm family. This creature, also known as the European glass lizard, can grow to about 140 cm in length.

    Lisbon Oceanarium

    Source: oceanario.pt
    The Lisbon Oceanarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world, built for the 1998 World Expo held in that city. One of the aquarium's remarkable features is its gigantic central tank housing many large fish.

    Muriqui male is mama's boy

    Source: scientias.nl, photo by Paulo B Chaves
    Male northern muriquis —a primate species found in the Brazilian rainforest— are surprisingly dependent on their mothers. These monkey mothers stay with their sons for life, and males that spend the most time with their mothers sire the most young.

    Book

    Publisher: Lexington Books, 2010
    Metamorphoses of the Zoo

    The book Metamorphoses of the Zoo: Animal Encounter After Noah is dedicated to the enormous developments that have taken place in zoos.

    Inbreeding is no problem for the Iberian lynx

    Source: scientias.nl
    The Iberian lynx isn't faring very well: only about 300 animals exist in the wild, in two isolated areas in Spain. Breeding programs are being set up to save this species, but the small size of the remaining population means that there must be inbreeding.

    Koala calls

    Source: scientias.nl
    Koalas are peaceful animals. They sleep a great deal (18-22 hours a day) and spend a lot of time just eating eucalyptus leaves. At mating time, however, males make an enormous amount of noise.

    Children and dogs

    Source: scientias.nl
    Children tend to take the grimace on a dog's face as a smile. This could be the cause of many bite incidents involving young children. But can children interpret a dog's bark?

    Website on genetic deviations

    Source: dierenwelzijnsweb.nl
    Attention for the effects of genetic deviations on animal welfare has been on the increase, especially in the United Kingdom. The UFAW has set up a website to inform the public about genetic deviations in house pet species.

    How fish swim

    Author: Susanne Driessen, EZNC
    The form of a fish (size, height-breadth ratio, muscle mass) determines the way it is designed to swim best. This is the last part of a series on functional morphology of fish.

    Animals feel earthquake coming

    Source: nationalzoo.si.edu
    The earth shook at the end of August on the United States’ east coast. The earthquake, measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale, was keenly felt at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC. Because it was feeding time, the ...

    Warm hibernation

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    American black bears hibernate from five to seven months without eating, drinking, urinating or defecating. They then emerge from their dens, leaner but fully healthy. We have known for quite a while that these animals slow their metabolism in order to get through this extended period.

    Be careful with medications

    Source: dierenwelzijnsweb
    Most people know to keep medicines out of children's reach. What many do not know is that human medications also put house pets at risk.

    Can giraffes float?

    Source: nu.nl
    What would happen to a giraffe if it found itself in deep water? Would the animal sink like a brick or stay afloat? And if it floated, could it swim or would it drown? Interesting questions that can’t be easily tested, ...

    Book

    Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2009
    Leaders in Animal Behavior: The Second Generation

    The field of animal behaviour has changed considerably over the past 25 years. This book portraits 21 people who have played, and continue to play, an important and unique role in this discipline.

    Fish feed processing (II)

    Author: Susanne Driessen, EZNC
    Here we present another article in the series on the functional morphology of fish. The first part of this article on feed processing appeared in the most recent newsletter.

    Endangered Tarictic Hornbills bear young

    Source: avifauna.nl
    In Vogelpark Avifuana (Netherlands), three Visayan Tarictic Hornbills hatched at the end of July. This is a special event: this species has never before been born on the European continent.

    Sleepy bees are sloppy dancers

    Source: scientias.nl
    Even bees need a good night’s sleep. Without enough sleep, researchers found, bees are sloppy in communicating their observations to other bees about where to find food.

    Feed intake by fish (I)

    Author: Susanne Driessen, EZNC
    Information about the branch of fish biology called functional morphology, including a description of various fish shapes, appeared in the last newsletter. Here we explain the various ways fish process their feed.

    Book

    Publisher: Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2003 (3rd edition)
    Zoonoses: Infectious Diseases, Transmissible from Animals to Humans

    Previous editions of this newsletter have contained information about zoonoses: diseases that can be passed from animals to humans or from humans to animals. This book is a reference work for both professionals and those less initiated in this specialism.

    Swimming orangutans

    Source text and photo: hln.be
    Scientists were stunned to see a nature photographer's pictures. What was so shocking? The photos showed orangutans swimming and fishing in a river. Until now, orangutans have been believed to be afraid of water.

    Obesity in lemurs

    Lemurs in captivity often become too heavy or even obese, which can have all sorts of consequences for the animals. Obesity can have many causes; luckily, there are also many solutions.

    Beaver life

    Source: news.bbc.co.uk, photo Laszlo Ilyes
    That beavers build dams and live in lodges is common knowledge. The only thing known about beavers' life in the lodge, however, has been when it goes in and out. Now, thanks to tiny waterproof cameras, we can see into the lodge without disturbing natural behaviour.

    Book

    Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2009
    Trogons: A Natural History of the Trogonidae

    Trogons are a group of birds known chiefly for their splendid colours. This large, beautifully executed book truly does the birds justice. It is a coffee table book with marvellous illustrations of the trogons in their natural habitat, but it is also ...

    Hand-rearing wallabies and kangaroos

    EZNC
    The EZNC regularly fields questions about hand-rearing marsupials, for example when a mother wallaby dies with young in the pouch and the owner wants to raise the young by hand.

    Roti Island snake-necked turtle

    Source: dierenparkamersfoort.nl
    The Roti Island snake-necked turtle is one of the 25 most threatened turtle species. Although native to the Indonesian Roti Island, these animals have not been seen there in a long time.

    Overweight animals

    Source: dierenwelzijnsweb.nl
    Overweight in animals often makes the news, yet there seems to be more going on than just getting too much food and too little exercise. A large study at the University of Alabama (USA) showed that animals ...

    Cheetahs at Whipsnade Zoo

    Source: zoolex.org and zsl.org, photo James Temple
    Cheetahs have been kept at Whipsnade Zoo (UK) for a very long time, starting in 1829. In 1967 it became the first zoo to breed cheetahs in captivity. In the past 40 years, 130 cubs have been born there.

    Scabies in alpacas

    Source: Alpaca-Ranch newsletter
    Scabies is a skin infection that occurs in many animal species and in humans. Its cause is the scabies mite, a parasite 0.5 mm long that lives in the skin. Although scabies can be treated successfully, it is important to recognise it early; prevention, of course, is best.

    Eew de Toilette

    Source: nationalgeographic.com, photo by David M. Jensen
    Monkey males who wash themselves with their own urine could be irresistible to females. While human males have to buy aftershave, male capuchin monkeys always have some at hand.

    Functional morphology of fish

    Author: Susanne Driessen, EZNC
    Functional morphology is a branch within biology that looks not only at the anatomy (structure, appearance) of an organism (plant or animal) but also at the function that correlates with that structure (behaviour, feeding habits, suitable habitat).

    Drongos: Maestros of Mimicry

    Source: scientias.nl, photo DJ Midgley
    Drongos are skilful imitators of other birds and meerkats. By impersonating alarm calls, they seize the opportunity to steal meerkats' prey. The drongos keep fooling the meerkats by varying the mimicked alarm calls.

    Zoonosis and pets

    Source: rivm.nl/ziekdoordier
    The house pet population is on the rise. In the Netherlands, for example, there is at least one house pet in 55 percent of households. These animals can be sick without causing any problems for their owners, but there are also illnesses we can catch from our pets.

    Book

    Publisher: Lyons Press, 2010
    Forbidden Creatures

    This book's author posed himself this question: what is being smuggled, from where, and how, and why do so many people have illegal, dangerous animals?

    Raising young

    Source: rotterdamzoo.nl and avifauna.nl
    When birds in a zoo are enrolled in a breeding program – because they are a threatened species – the zoo must make a difficult decision when eggs have been laid. Allow the birds to brood and hatch their own eggs, or ...

    Bear Sanctuary Arbesbach

    Source: vier-voeters.nl and zoolex.org
    In Austria, six brown bears are living in a bear sanctuary, one of the projects built by the organisation Four Paws. Bears rescued from poor living conditions can express their natural behaviours here, becoming true bears.

    'Mosquito nets' protect against parasites

    Source: scientias.nl
    Wrasses and parrotfish weave a fine net around their bodies at night. For a long time, it wasn't clear why this was done, but now it turns out that the slimy nets are very effective at keeping parasites away, in much the same way a mosquito net does.

    Ewe relieves lamb's pain

    Source: sciencedaily.com
    Allowing the ewe to be with her lamb during stressful and/or painful procedures such as ear-tagging can lessen the lamb's pain. Lambs can also be protected by minimising stress for ewes during pregnancy.

    Zoonosis: Where are you at risk?

    Source: rivm.nl/ziekdoordier
    As we've said before, anyone can contract a zoonose. Where you spend time can, however, increase or decrease your risk. Walking in the woods and fields and swimming in open water takes you to where there is risk of infection.

    CD-ROM

    Source: wildlifeinformation.org
    Lagomorphs: Health and Management

    Rabbits are popular pets, and many pet owners take good care of their rabbits. Unfortunately, mistakes are often made, and not much is known about the care of close relatives such as hares and pikas.

    Proboscis monkeys ruminate

    Source: livescience.com, photo: Bjorn Christian Torrissen
    Giraffes, cattle, llamas, camels and various other hoofed animals chew their cud. Now it appears that there are also cud-chewing monkeys. Though every other type of dietary strategy had been seen in primates (humans and hominoids) before, rumination now completes the list.

    Three-striped box turtle

    Source: artis.nl, photo Torsten Blanck
    The three-striped box turtle lives in the wild in China, Laos and Vietnam, and it is there that this turtle species is seriously endangered. Because its meat is highly valued, only a few hundred of these wild animals are left.

    Zoonosis: who is at risk?

    Source: rivm.nl/ziekdoordier
    Everyone is at risk of being infected with a zoonose. Even without direct contact with animals, an infection can be picked up from food or indirect contact. Some people are, however, at greater risk than others.

    Book

    Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2006
    Essentials of Disease in Wild Animals

    The relationship between wild animals, domesticated animals and humans in regards to disease and health is receiving a great deal of attention. Disease in humans and domesticated animals is related to disease in wild animals; animal disease can have an effect on nature conservation.

    Bees in the city

    Source: scientias.nl
    The news about bees hasn't been very good: bee populations are swiftly declining in large areas of Europe and America. Pesticides, varroa mites and decreased flower diversity have been cited as causes.

    Parasites in rats

    EZNC
    Rat feeds (green forage), nesting material, hay and straw can harbour scabies mites and lice, which can be a cause of problems for the animals. The lice are visible to the naked eye as reddish-brown, thin, elongated, moving insects.

    Southern Cassowary

    Source: avifauna.nl
    The young southern cassowary born in October 2010 in Avifauna (Netherlands) is moving to Denmark’s Blavand Zoo and will become part of the breeding program there.

    Empathy in chickens

    Source: livescience.com
    Calling an overprotective mother a 'mother hen' is even more accurate than was previously thought: a study of hens and their chicks has shown that chickens can express empathy.

    Millions of species

    Source: llink.nl
    For years it has been thought that the earth is home to between 30 and 100 million arthropods, a classification which also includes insects. A new mathematical method calculates that these estimates are too high.

    Horses and flies

    Source: levendehave.nl
    Biting flies prefer dark-coloured horses; this is probably no surprise to horse owners. A team of researchers from Hungary, Spain and Sweden has now studied why this is so.

    Bears: Health and Management

    Source: wildlifeinformation.org
    This CD-ROM contains a great deal of information about bears, their appearance, anatomy and behaviour as well as feeding and keeping bears and diseases to which they are susceptible.

    Zoonosis

    Source: rivm.nl/ziekdoordier
    Infectious diseases can be passed from one person to the next. Animals, too, can infect each other. There are also diseases which can be passed from humans to animals and from animals to humans.

    Cultural behaviour

    Source (text and photo): nationalgeographic.com
    In a group of mandrills in the Colcester Zoo, behaviour has been observed that is specific to that group. The behaviour appeared naturally, without human interference, and has already been present for a full generation; this allows it to be defined as cultural behaviour.

    Book

    Publisher: CABI, second edition, 2006
    Stereotypic Animal Behaviour - Fundamentals and Applications to Welfare

    Unusual (stereotypic) behaviour is exhibited by millions of animals in zoos, in production and in labs, as well as in pets: big cats pace, horses crib-bite, lab mice somersault at night, and sows chew at chains.

    Beaded lizards

    Source: artis.nl, waza.org
    The beaded lizards is named for the bead-like bumps on its skin, which are reinforced scales (osteoderms) that make the skin into armouring to protect the reptile against enemies such as coyotes, birds of prey and humans.

    Parrot nutrition and health

    Source: dierenwelzijnsweb.nl
    Parrots and, specifically, parrot nutrition and health, were the focus of the research for which Isabella Kalmar recently earned her PhD at the University of Gent (Belgium).

    Color vision in sharks

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    Sharks can smell blood at a great distance; however, it is not known whether they can also see that it is red. Research seems to indicate that sharks are color blind. This is not very surprising: as there is ...

    Socorro doves

    Source: burgerszoo.eu; photo: Magalhães
    In the wild, the Socorro dove has already disappeared. Careful breeding programs in zoos are needed to ensure that this dove species does not disappear altogether. Against this backdrop, the birth of two Socorro doves is good news.

    EZNC and Jagran

    The European Zoo Nutrition Centre (EZNC) has expertise on keeping zoo animals, (exotic) pets and hobby animals, and our objective is to share that knowledge. Would you like to know more?

    Fish Versus Mammal

    Source: scientias.nl
    Mammals nurse their young; this is one way they continue caring for their progeny after birth. Although fish don't nurse, discus fish do care for their young well: by feeding them mucous produced by the parents' skin.

    Cownose Ray

    Source: blijdorp.nl
    A recent addition is swimming around in the Oceanium at Diergaarde Blijdorp, the Rotterdam Zoo: a young cownose ray. Although the ray is more than two months old, it has only very recently been on view in the large aquarium.

    Book

    Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell (2007)
    Hand Rearing Birds

    This is a reference work on rearing by hand for all common bird species. This book is a valuable guide for those working at shelters taking in young birds.

    People-watching

    Source: nu.nl
    Zoo visitors could have an enriching effect on orang-utans: the visitors are an object of study, not a cause of stress. These are the conclusions of University of Melbourne researchers.

    Rare Batagur Turtles Born

    Source: zoovienna.at
    Vienna's Tiergarten Schönbrunn is proud to be the first zoo in the world to announce the birth of two batagur turtles. This turtle species is seriously endangered: worldwide, only twenty individuals remain.

    Book

    Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 2010
    Wild Mammals in Captivity

    This book is used as a reference work in zoos, aquariums and shelters. The first edition dates from 1996; this second, heavily revised 2010 version promises to be a worthy replacement.

    Rabbits' Gnawing Needs

    Source: dierenwelzijnsweb.nl
    A literature review of the various forms of enhancement used professionally for rabbit pens yields information which can also be useful for rabbits kept as pets. The question explored was whether a piece of wood satisfies a rabbit’s need to gnaw.

    Plants for Enrichment

    Source: zoolex.org
    Plants form the matrix within which animals live. In the wild, plants provide animals with food and shelter and largely determine their natural behaviour. How does this work for animals in captivity?

    EAZA Ape Campaign

    Source: eaza.net
    Each year since 2000, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) has run a campaign focused on a specific animal species or species group. The European Carnivore Campaign of 2010 is coming to a close; in 2011 the EAZA Ape Campaign will begin.

    Tadpoles from the Freezer

    Source: zooantwerpen.be
    For the first time at ZOO Antwerpen, amphibians have been reared from frozen sperm cells. This success is an incentive to begin storing sperm from various threatened species of amphibians in order to save them from extinction.

    Effects of Mercury on Ibis Behaviour

    Source: text and photo, nationalgeographic.com
    Mercury in the food of wild white ibises leads to changes in their behaviour. Even low mercury levels can have a substantial effect on reproductive behaviour, resulting in more homosexual pairs and fewer young.

    Gene mutation makes panda plant eater

    Source: nu.nl
    According to American scientists a mutation in a taste gene caused pandas to stop eating meat. The gene is still active in humans and enables us to taste savoury flavours.

    Sheds for horses

    Source: dierenwelzijnsweb.nl
    For domesticated horses access to shelter is important. Recent research from the Michigan State University (USA) has shown this, and also that the design of the shelter is important.

    Fast ostriches

    Source: scientias.nl
    Extensive research has shown why ostriches are able to run so fast for so long. Compared to humans their tendons are able to store twice as much elastic energy.

    Rhinoceroses

    Source: safaripark.nl
    The European breeding programme for rhinoceroses wants to improve rhino offspring in Europe and build up a sustainable population in European zoos.

    Book

    Publisher: Firefly Books, 2010
    Manual of Fish Health

    Fish need more than a tank of water and some dry food to stay healthy. The fish-keeper is regularly challenged to find out what's wrong this time.

    Spider deceived

    Source: scientias.nl
    Spiders use their web to catch insects. But now an insect has been discovered that reverses the roles. This insect makes the spider's web vibrate and thus imitates prey. The spider that responds to the vibration is stung and eaten.

    Book

    Publisher: Springer, 2009
    Integrative Wildlife Nutrition

    This book is on the basic principles of nutrition to the study of fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals in their natural environments. The acquisition of food, its digestion and absorption, and the retention and utilization of energy substrates, water and other nutrients are treated in detail.

    Bears are preparing for winter

    Source text + photo: alertis.nl
    Most bears in the Berenbos ('bear forest') in Ouwehands Zoo (The Netherlands) go into hibernation in November. The bears have built up a fat layer during the summer which should get them through the winter months. This is clear from their round shape and their beautiful, thick fur.

    Remarkable boas

    Source: nu.nl
    A female boa constrictor has produced two litters of babies without being inseminated by a male. The female boa lives with four males, but genetic research showed that the young are not related to the males.

    Horn sharks hatched

    Source: Artis.nl, photo Ed Bierman
    Animal keepers in Artis (The Netherlands) have peeled some eggs. It were remarkable eggs though: those of the horn shark. In the wild the eggs don't have to be peeled, because the scale becomes thinner by itself. But in aquaria they need some help.

    Dogs recognize their owner's face

    Source: scientas.nl
    It was found that dogs mainly recognize their owners on the basis of their face. When the owners' face is covered up recognition is more difficult. Older dogs have more difficulty recognizing their owners.

    Coral colony

    source: burgerszoo.eu
    An important milestone was reached in Burgers' Zoo (The Netherlands): The 1500th coral colony was established. In collaboration with several renowned aquaria, Burgers' Zoo plays a leading role in the cultivation of corals.

    Australian Brush-turkey

    Source: text and photo: avifauna.nl
    The birth of a very special Australian Brush-turkey in Avifauna makes the keepers of the bird park proud. The chick does not hatch from a nest but it has been buried in an egg under the ground for three months.

    Book

    Publisher: Springer, 1994
    Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles

    This extensive handbook examines the welfare of reptiles in captivity. The positive and negative implications of general reptile husbandry are discussed.

    Evolution in progress

    Source: nationalgeographic.com (text and photo)
    An Australian lizard species seems to be in the middle of the evolutionary transition from egg-laying to live birth. The population that lives on the coast still lays eggs, while another population in the mountains give birth to live young.

    LED lighting in Zoo

    Source: frieslandzoo.nl
    Durability and energy saving are important subjects for many zoos. In a Dutch zoo part of the lighting has been replaced by LED lighting. Almost 400 strip lights and halogen spots were replaced by durable LED lights.

    Monolopy on coconuts

    Source: scientias.nl; photo: J.M. Garg
    A rhesus monkey has a monopoly on coconuts on the island it lives on, because it is the only one who knows how to open them. The rhesus monkey was studied for its big nose, but scientists were even more amazed by its behaviour.

    Why lions roar and cats miaow

    Source: bbc.co.uk
    The sound that felines produce is more dependent on the environment that the animal lives in than on the size of the animal. And yet much remains unclear for scientists.

    Panda born in Viennese zoo

    Source: harpij.nl and zoovienna.at
    Late August a panda cub was born in Tiergarten Schoenbrunn in Vienna (Austria). Pandas rarely get pregnant in captivity. The baby was conceived naturally. This only occurred once before in Europe.

    Bowerbird creates an illusion

    Source: scientias.nl, photo Gaz via Wikipedia
    Bowerbirds are known for the remarkable constructions they build – bowers – and for their courting behaviour. Research has now shown that the males build their bowers in such a way that they themselves look bigger - and therefore more interesting - for the females.

    Book

    Animal Feeds, Feeding and Nutrition

    This book is a combination of a textbook and a CD-ROM, which makes it a very practical book for learners. The CD-ROM allows you to calculate rations for several animal species, comparable to how this in done in the industry today.

    Good vibrations

    Source: scientias.nl, photo Carey James Balboa
    Tree frogs in rain forests communicate with each other by making the branches of the plants they live on vibrate. The hind legs of the frogs shake the branches up and down 8 to 12 times per second.

    Spectacular

    Source: diergaardeblijdorp.nl (text) and ongewoonongewerveld.nl (text and photo)
    Zoos regularly have new births. Sometimes they are very big, like an elephant or a giraffe, or very cute, like tiger cubs or young polar bears. Some newborns, however, are nice and small.

    Gesturing in orangutans

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Orangutans use pantomime to make something clear. After years of research with orangutans in Borneo eighteen examples of pantomime were identified. These pantomimes were mostly directed at humans, but they were also used between orangutans.

    Invisible sharks

    Source: nu.nl
    Researchers found out that some shark species use bioluminescence for communication with other sharks as well as for camouflage. This was studied in the velvet belly lantern shark.

    Dolphin diet

    Source: scientias.nl
    Dolphins appear to catch their prey selectively. They select the fish that contain the most energy and leave the less interesting (less calorie-rich) prey swimming. It was always assumed that dolphins eat anything that swims by.

    Book

    Publisher: Thieme/Manson, 2008
    Rapid Review of Small Exotic Animal Medicine & Husbandry

    More and more different kinds of pets are being kept, and especially exotic kinds. Veterinary practices also have to deal with this, because these exotic animals can become ill.

    Recall action mice

    Source: wormsandgermsblog.com (text and photo)
    An American company that sells frozen mice, day-old chicks and other reptile food via the Internet has been linked to Salmonella outbreaks in humans. The company has therefore issued a recall for millions of mice.

    Family planning in chimps

    Source: burgerszoo.eu
    Seven chimpanzee females in Burgers' Zoo are on the pill. Because chimpanzees have for more than 98% the same DNA as people, they can use the same contraceptives as humans.

    Perfume for big cats

    Source: nu.nl
    Large felids like jaguars, cheetahs and tigers, are attracted by perfumes. American scientists investigated which perfumes were preferred among cats. It has been known for some time that large felids are attracted by perfumes.

    Life expectancy and obedience

    Source: nu.nl
    Canadian scientists compared personality traits of different dog breeds with data on the life expectancy of these breeds. It appeared that 'obedient' breeds live longer than breeds that are more difficult to train.

    Book

    Publisher: Princeton University Press (2006)
    Parrots of the World: An Identification Guide

    From the macaws of South America to the cockatoos of Australia, parrots are among the most recognizable, but also the most endangered, birds on earth. In this beautiful coffee table book all species and subspecies are discussed.

    Obesity in rats

    Author: Tara van Beelen, source photo: bbc.co.uk
    Obesity is not only becoming a national epidemic in humans but also in pets. There is also a relation between obesity in humans and their pets. The fatter the owner, the fatter the pet. Also in tame rats this is a serious problem.

    Pipefish selection

    Source: iol.co.za
    The extent to which male pipefish care for their young depends on the attractiveness of the female they mated with. When the mother was attractive, the father takes better care of the young.

    Elephant intelligence

    Source: news.bbc.co.uk
    Elephants can't see very well, but their hearing is exquisite. The same goes for their scent. Using a variety of tests, researchers from several different institutes are trying to find out how intelligent elephants are.

    Toad partners

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl, photo Patrick Gijsbers
    When several males fight over a female Cane toad, the female selects the biggest and fittest male. She can throw a less wanted male off her back by blowing herself up.

    Lama bodyguard

    Source: scientias.nl
    In an English nature reserve breeding lapwings and redshanks are guarded by lamas. The rangers hope that this year the breeding results of the endangered bird species will be better than last year. The lamas have to keep predators such as foxes at a distance.

    Book

    Turtles: The animal answer guide

    The title says it: this book is a collection of questions and answers on turtles. The questions and answers give you a lot of information on turtles. How many species are there? Do they have teeth? Can you feed turtles in the wild?

    Blanched lizzards

    Source text and photo: nrc.nl
    Three different light-coloured species of lizard live in the sand dunes of New Mexico. In each species the light colour is due to another genetic adaptation. The light colour was created three times in evolution. With this finding researchers showed that an adaptation to the environment does not always have to occur via the same mechanism. This was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

    Rat-bite fever

    Source photo: Booth, C.M., K.C. Katz en J. Brunton, 2002. Fever and a rat bite. Canadian Journal Infectious Diseases, Vol. 13 No. 4
    A Dutch rapport from 2009 notes that on average 2% of rat bites lead to an infection with Streptobacillus moniliformis. S. moniliformis is a common airway bacterium in rodents. Many rats (wild as well as tame rats) are infected with this bacterium.

    Parthenogenesis in sharks

    Source: newscientist.com
    In 2001 a hammerhead shark gave birth, even though no mating had ever taken place. The baby died after three days and this was considered an isolated case. But now researchers have shown that sharks use this reproduction strategy more often.

    Warning toads

    Source: scrientias.nl
    For years mankind has been searching for something that can warn us when an earthquake is imminent. According to a British biologist the common toad can predict this. She studied a population of toads before, during and after the earthquake in L’Aguila (Italy).

    Internal TomTom

    Source: Noorderlicht, photo Torkel Hafting
    Rats as well as people have special brain cells for navigation. Not so much for driving to some holiday destination, but for walking in familiar spaces. Without thinking you walk to the dining table to the kitchen and to the couch.

    Cranes in England

    Source: hln.be
    After a turbulent car drive eight crane birds hatched in the United Kingdom. The eggs were supposed to be flown in, but the Icelandic volcano threw a monkey wrench (or rather ashes) in the works. A 17 hour care drive delivered the eggs just in time.

    Flossing teeth

    Source: nu.nl
    The dentist always urges us to floss our teeth. But there are also macaques that floss. This was discovered by Japanese scientists. One macaque started this and taught the trick to her group members.

    TAWC

    Source: dierenbescherming.nl
    With the signature of the Eurogroup for Animals the Transatlantic Animal Welfare Council (TAWC) has been founded. European animal welfare organisations and comparable organisations in the US have now been united in the TAWC.

    Book

    Encyclopedia of Aviculture

    Aviculture is ‘the practice of keeping and breeding birds and the culture that forms around it’. Often aviculture is not limited to this, but it is also concerned with the preservation of natural habitat and campaigns to raise public awareness (definition from Wikipedia).

    Are frogs pussies?

    Source: teleac.nl
    Frogs have long been known for their sensitivity to environmental pollution. However, a biologist of South Dakota University discovered that frogs are not necessarily more sensitive to chemicals than other animals.

    The strongest insect on the planet

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    The strongest insect on the planet appears to be a species of dung beetle, Onthophagus taurus. This beetle is able to pull 1141 times its own body weight. Researchers in London measured how much weight was required to pull a dung beetle out of its hole.

    Book

    Publisher: Chelsea House Publications, 2009
    Animal Defenses (Animal Behavior)

    Insects that look like leaves, snakes that play dead, fish that fly and toads with poisonous skin. Animals can defend themselves in many different ways and some of these ways are quite remarkable.

    The secret language of elephants

    Source: news.bbc.co.uk
    Researchers form the San Diego Zoo have studied elephant language. It is well-known that elephants trumpet. Less well-known are the low growls that they use to communicate amongst each other.

    Singing mice

    Source: news.discovery.com
    When male house mice smell the presence of an available, adult and non-related female, they...sing. This singing is inaudible to the human ear; it is an ultrasonic love song.

    Mystery Monkey

    Source: msnbc.msn.com, photo Renee Barth
    A rhesus monkey in Florida has its own Facebook and Twitter page. The local media regularly report on this monkey and in newspapers his story is compared to the film 'The Fugitive'. The only thing missing is the one-armed bandit.

    Half rooster, half hen

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    Every once in while an animal is half male and half female. We call this phenomenon gynandromorphy. Scientists have now discovered how this works. In chickens this occurs in about 1 in 10,000 cases.

    Book

    Publisher: University of California Press, 2008
    Arachnids

    The arachnids bring up fierce emotional responses. Many people find big, hairy spiders, venomous scorpions and ticks terrifying. But to some these animals are fascinating.

    Mobile shelters

    Source: nationalgeographic.com, photo: Roger Steene via nationalgeographic.com
    Researchers had to make an effort not to laugh when they saw the octopuses walk around with coconut-shell halves. And laughing while you are diving is not without risks! The octopuses can now be added to the list of tool-using animals.

    Spring cleaning

    Source: news.bbc.co.uk, photo Jill Sonsteby
    It seemed as if the zebra's final hour had struck. At least, that is what the visitors in Zurich Zoo thought when they saw a zebra put her head in the mouth of a hippopotamus. But the enormous jaws were not jammed shut however. On the contrary, the hippo was grateful for the cleaning session.

    AI

    Source: harpij.nl
    This March the Antwerp Zoo had a first. Spectacled bear Inca was artificially inseminated with sperm from her partner Gladstone. Despite repetitive efforts, natural insemination had not succeeded.

    Recognition hormone

    Source: nrc.nl
    Vasopressin is important for social recognition in rats. When vasopressin neurons are blocked, rats keep acquainting themselves with rats that they have already met before.

    Mother mystery

    Source: apenheul.nl
    DNA tests are sometimes used to determine who the father is. This happens in the world of humans, but sometimes also in the animal world. In the Apenheul such a test has now proven who the biological mother is of a gorilla toddler.

    Abstinence makes for bluer feet

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    When male blue-footed boobies do not reproduce for a year the blue colour of their feet becomes more intense. This increases the chance of finding a partner. The blue colour is attractive to females.

    Babysitting services with sperm whales

    Source: demorgen.de
    Most young mothers do not like to leave their babies alone. Even a short period of time is problematic. The solution is a baby sitter. This is difficult for sperm whales. They sometimes have to dive at great depths for an hour to search for food for their little ones.

    Book

    Source: AldineTransaction, 2008
    The Rat

    This time not a book on rat behaviour in corporate life, but on the behaviour of real rats. Much research has been done into the behaviour of rats. This involves the Rattus Norvegicus, or brown rat.

    Quick species development

    Source: nrc.nl
    The development of a species does not have to take centuries. A famous biologist couple has been researching finches at the Galapagos Islands for over 30 years. Charles Darwin noted that finches are different on every island.

    Are monkeys smart?

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Grooming behaviour in monkeys is considered evidence that monkeys can think in terms of profit, loss and social patterns. It is assumed that monkeys use their intelligence for this and are calculating.

    Gila monsters

    Source: rotterdamzoo.nl and waza.org
    Gila monsters are large lizards. In the wild the animals can only be found in Mexico and in the southern United States (Nevada, Arizona, California). They are easily recognizable from their black wart-like skin with red-pink spots.

    Book

    Source: Oxford University Press, 2007
    Built by animals

    Animals can build amazing structures. Termite mounds are (in relation to their builder) three times as high as sky scrapers, birds can make beautiful nests and spiders can weave webs that can catch their prey.

    Sea horses

    Bron: National Geographic News
    Seahorses are remarkable sea creatures, with a head that looks like a horse and a long snout. Firmly upright they swim into the wild sea, often floating on the current with their tail curled around a plant. There are 35 different species of seahorses, varying in colour and size.

    Monkey friends on a picture

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl, photo David M. Jensen
    Capuchin monkeys recognize other monkeys they know from a photo. Apparently, they are able to connect a two-dimensional image with reality. They see differences between the faces of monkeys and they remember the characteristics of the monkeys they are familiar with.

    Famous Five

    Source: waza.org, photo Elke Talma (MCSS)
    On the website of WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquaria) this was presented as a Christmas story: The famous five are back on the Seychelles. The famous five are in this case Hawksbill turtles that will be relocated to the Seychelles.

    Google and animals

    Source: hvbl.be
    Obviously Google’s search engines can be used to look up information on animals. In which zoos can I find tuataras, how heavy does an elephant get, and where can I find crickets for my bearded dragons?

    Pygmy hippopotamus

    Source: waza.org
    Pygmy hippos are often mistaken for baby hippos. But it is a different kind of hippopotamus, with a slightly different exterior and different behaviour. Pygmy hippos spend much more time on land.

    Frozen ark

    Source: frozenark.org
    The mission of the Frozen Ark Project is to collect and preserve DNA, tissue and gametes from animals in danger of extinction. This project focuses on the thousands of animals that are threatened with extinction.

    The vision of a hammerhead shark

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    The head shape of hammerheads has always amazed people, but until now it hasn’t been researched very much. Florida Atlantic University changed this. Researchers from this university studied three (out of nine) species ...

    Macaque grandmas and grandchildren

    Source: nrc.nl
    Macaque grandmothers sometimes take on the care for their grandchildren. This can go so far that they even start to breast feed again. This remarkable behaviour was seen in Japanese macaques.

    Book

    Source: Wiley-Blackwell, 2008
    Restraint and Handling of Wild and Domestic Animals

    This book is an introduction to the principles of handling and restraining both wild and domesticated animals. The book is in full colour and shows many techniques to handle and restrain wild and domesticated (vertebrate) animals.

    No health gains from organic farm feed

    Souce: wageningenuniversity.nl
    No positive health effects from organic farm feed were found in chickens. A positive effect was found for a varied diet: a varied diet keeps the immune system alert and is therefore better for the animals' health.

    Pizzly or grolar bear

    Source: bbb.co.uk, photo by Jean-Pierre Lavoie
    What do you get when you cross a polar bear with a grizzly bear? A remarkable mix of both bears. This phenomenon was studied at the Osnabruck zoo. Two polar grizzlies were born there.

    Striking strawberry poison frog

    Source: depers.nl
    Bright red, yellow and black are warning colours and they mean: I am poisonous, do not bite! The strawberry poison frog comes in many colours. It comes with a red front, a blue back, but it can also be completely blue, yellow or green, with or without black stripes or spots.

    Sleeping like a leaf

    Source: nrc.nl
    Elephant seals are the largest living sea predators that can weigh up to 3000 kg (males). Elephant seals can take very deep dives in search of food, and the animals can also stay under water for a very long time without breathing.

    To the lions

    Source: zooantwerpen.be
    In Antwerp lions, Meerkats and Yellow Mongooses will be sharing an enclosure in the future. With this the Antwerp Zoo wants to stimulate natural behaviour. According to planning, the enclosure will be ready by summer 2011.

    Nutrition during moulting

    Source: The Waltham Book of Companion Animal Nutrition, Pergamon Press Ltd, 1993, foto: Rex (via Wikipedia)
    Feathers consist of protein for 85-97 percent. And this protein consists almost entirely of keratin. Keratin is a tough, insoluble protein with a high percentage of sulphur-containing amino-acids. The disulfide bridges between the molecules create a solid structure.

    Book

    Source: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2009
    Capybaras: A Natural History of the World's Largest Rodent

    Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world, but they show little resemblance to their guinea pig relatives. A different name, Water-hog is more appropriate.

    Remarkable shark births

    Source: ecomare.nl and kellytarltons.co.nz
    In a short period of time two remarkable shark births reached the news. On the conveyer belt of a cutter 11 Bramble Sharks were born and in an aquarium in New Zealand a shark performed a C-section on another shark ...

    Bird navigation

    How birds navigate through the sky, e.g. during migration, is a big question. A team of German researchers have tried to answer this question. It seems that birds 'see' magnetic fields via their eyes.

    Learning about predators in the egg

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Even before they have hatched from the egg, frogs can learn which predators will hunt on them. Earlier it was discovered that amphibians and fish can make this distinction in the larval stage, but now this has also been observed in the embryonic stage.

    Veiled chameleons

    Source: rotterdamzoo.nl en waza.org
    The Veiled chameleon is one of the larger chameleon species. Males can be over 50 centimetres long, the females usually stay under 30 centimetres. The Veiled chameleon can be recognized by a big 'casque' on top of its head.

    Voting system in Hamadryas baboons

    Source: telegraaf.nl
    Every morning the Hamadryas baboons vote about where they will go to that day. Two or three males sit at the border of the group with their face towards a certain direction. The other males show their preference by positioning themselves behind one of these males.

    Book

    Publisher: Johnson Books, 2003
    Healers of the Wild: Rehabilitating Injured and Orphaned Wildlife

    What to do when you find a nest of baby bunnies wile mowing the lawn? Or when you find a very young bird in your flower beds? Many people do not now what to do when they find wild animals.

    Birds moulting

    Feathers serve several functions in birds: Besides their role in flying, feathers are also important for body insulation and water repelling (which also reduces the chance of losing body heat).

    European wild horse

    Bron: natuurbericht.nl, foto Hans Hovens (Faunaconsult)
    There are clear indications that the Exmoor pony is a direct descendant of the original wild horse of Europe. This pony lived during the Pleistocene era in North-West Europe. It was long assumed that the Przewalski horse is the only live descendant of the wild horse.

    Cancer therapy in dogs and cats

    Source: uu.nl
    A new successful method for detecting cancer in dogs and cats can possibly also be applied to humans. This was argued by Prof. Kirpensteijn (faculty of Veterinary Science in Utrecht) in his oration last week.

    Book

    Source: Hancock House Pub Ltd, 2007
    Pekin Robins and Small Softbills

    The birds that are discussed in this book are pekin robins and other small softbill birds. The book is illustrated with photo's and watercolour prints made by the author himself.

    Red in diet

    Source: rotterdamzoo.nl, photo: Hans Hillewaert
    Scarlet ibises are a bright red birds. Their wingtips are blue-black. The diet of the birds partly determines their colour: It is caused by a pigment (canthaxantine) that is present in shrimps and small crabs.

    An audacious sheep...

    Source: nrc.nl/wetenschap
    Audacious rams can reproduce quickly, but also die young. The more patient sheep are ultimately more successful. This appeared from a study with bighorn sheep in Canada.

    Dog food

    Source: news.nationalgeographic.com
    Results from a DNA study suggests that wolves became domesticated in southern China some 16,300 years ago, and that they were initially kept for food, not as watch dogs or pets.

    Shark sanctuary

    Source: nationalgeographic.com
    The first shark sanctuary in the world will be installed in the Pacific Ocean. Commercial fishing for sharks will be forbidden in the waters around Palau. The president of Palau also pleads for a world-wide ban on cutting shark fins.

    Late hedgehog babies grow faster

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Hedgehogs are born between June and October. It is important for the young hedgehogs to grow enough fat tissue before they go into hibernation, or else they won’t survive it.

    Shrinking polar bears

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Climate change and pollution cause stress. Because of this stress polar bears are getting smaller. Danish researchers concluded this after an extensive examination of polar bear skulls.

    New animal species in the Himalayas

    Source: text and photo: wnf.nl
    In the past ten years more than 350 animal and plant species have been discovered in the eastern part of the Himalaya mountains. From 1998 to 2008 scientist researched the region.

    Book

    Source: coralhusbandry.org
    Advances in Coral Husbandry in Public Aquariums

    This book contains the contributions of the first international symposium on cultivating and keeping coral in aquaria. See also the news item on this topic above.

    Making friends through imitation

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl, photo David M. Jensen
    In the human world imitation is used in making social contact. Also capuchin monkeys make use of imitation for this purpose. They prefer someone who imitates them. Italian and American researchers discovered this.

    Spanish ribbed newt

    Source: National Geographic News, photo Peter Halasz
    The Spanish ribbed newt has a special way of defending itself. When there is danger, its rib bones are pierced through its skin. These are then coated with toxins from the skin and become poisonous spines.

    Coral in the aquarium

    Source: coralhusbandry.org
    Coral reefs are endangered all over the world due to pollution, over fishing and destructive fishing, coral quarrying and global warming. Within aquaria, on the other hand, the opposite is occurring.

    The imagination of the dog owner

    Source: bbc.co.uk
    Does the guilty look of the dog only exist in the imagination of its owner? Dog owners regularly claim that they can read the expressions of their pets - especially that tell-tale look when they have done something that is not allowed.

    Book

    Source: Ocean Publishing, 2004
    Whales with fur

    The subtitle 'How to train any animal using dolphin training techniques' already explains what this book is about. The author is a very experienced dolphin trainer who has used his special techniques ..

    Black rhinoceroses fly towards their freedom

    Source: www.vliegendeneushoorns.nl
    A remarkable animal transportation recently occurred at Schiphol Airport (The Netherlands). Three black rhinoceroses from the Czech Zoo Dvůr Králové arrived at Schiphol after sixteen hours in a truck, to continue their journey by plane to a reserve in Tanzania.

    Beavers in Scotland

    Source: Schotland.nl, photo by Per Harald Olsen
    Since almost four hundred years there are no longer any beavers living in the wild in Great Britain. Now, four Norwegian beaver families have been released in a remote area in Scotland.

    Passing on social status

    Source: izw-berlin.de
    An international team of scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in Berlin and the University of Sheffield have answered the following question: How is social status passed on in ...

    Less stress with empathic training

    Source: wageningenuniversiteit.nl
    A study by the Animal Science Group (Wageningen) and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Utrecht) has shown that young horses that are trained into riding horses in an empathic way have less stress than horses that are trained in a regular fashion.

    Ten new amphibian species

    Source: conservation.org, picture by Marco Rada from Conservation International-Colombia
    Recently ten new species of amphibians have been discovered in Colombia. These discoveries were made during a three-weeks expedition in the mountainous Tacarcuna area of the Darien, near the border with Panama. The region is called a 'Noah's Ark'.

    Environmentally friendly sunbathing

    Source: dierenparkamersfoort.nl
    Meerkats like to stand or lie in the sun all day. Unfortunately this is not always possible in the Dutch climate. The zoos therefore install heat lamps for the meerkats. But those are big energy consumers.

    Madagascar radiated tortoise

    Source: waza.org
    As its name indicates, this tortoise only occurs in the wild in Madagascar. And there, they restrict themselves to the south-western part of the island. The radiated tortoise is severely endangered (IUCN status: critical) by, among other things, deforestation, hunting and trade.

    Book

    Elsevier Health Science, 2008
    Manual of Exotic Pet Practice

    This book is a practical and user friendly book on a large group of exotic animals. It is mainly intended for veterinary students and veterinarians.

    Gentoo penguins

    Source: rotterdamzoo.nl and waza.org
    The Gentoo penguin is a midsized penguin species. They are known as the fastest swimming birds. Under water their speed can be up to 27 kilometres per hour. The Gentoo penguin can be recognized by its orange-red beak and the white patches above its eyes.

    Baby gorilla and tiger saved

    Source: WNF.nl
    Protecting the wealth of species on earth is one of the main objectives of the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF). The focus in this endeavour is mostly on groups of animals or on regions on earth.

    Private beach for bird

    Source: nationalgeographic.com, foto: Julie Larsen Maher, WCS
    The maleo looks remarkable and is extremely rare. This Asian type of megapode is endemic only to the island of Sulawesi. There, the maleo's have been given a pristine beach of fourteen acres.

    Book

    Source: Hancock House Publishers, 2003
    Captive Birds in Health and Disease

    This book seeks to promote closer collaboration between bird-keepers and veterinarians. The emphasis is on maintaining health and preventing disease rather than treating ailments.

    Deadly bite Komodo dragon

    Source: depers.nl
    Up till now it was assumed that prey of the Komodo dragon died after different kinds of bacteria from the lizard's mouth ended up in the victim after a bite. An Australian researcher discovered that these lizards do indeed have poisonous glands.

    Tendon injuries in horses

    Source: uu.nl
    Research from the University of Utrecht shows that the chances that horses recover completely after a tendon injury is considerable higher when the animals are provided with a better therapy than is currently provided.

    Polar World

    Source: deharpij.nl, photo: Anders Björklund, Orsa Grönklitt AB
    Polar World is a recently opened section of Orsa Björn Park, a large bear park in Sweden. Ewa, born in Ouwehand (the Netherlands), and Wilbär, from Stuttgart (Germany), are first polar bears in Polar World.

    Eagle ray

    Source: burgerszoo.nl
    Burgers' Zoo rejoices with the birth of the very first eagle ray born in an European zoo. This special birth comes after many years of intensive care for the animals.

    Reproduction in Asian elephants

    Source: uu.nl
    The Asian elephant is not doing well, both in the wild and in zoos. In the wild, the animal's habitat is becoming ever smaller and shattered. The main problem with elephants that are kept by humans is difficulties in reproduction.

    Book

    Source: Bonny Doon Press, LLC, 2006 (2nd edition)
    The Complete Alpaca Book

    This book offers an extensive overview of all important aspects of keeping alpaca's. The book starts off with the history of keeping alpaca's, the anatomy of the animal and with their behaviour and communication.

    Seeking the best horse groups

    Source: levendehave.nl
    The behaviour of young horses is influenced by the composition of the group, research of the University of Rennes in France shows. According to the researchers, the composition of the group plays a large role ...

    Diversity in the zoo

    Source: wageningenuniversiteit.nl
    'Diversity' in the title does not refer to 'the number of animals' but to genetic diversity. Researcher Oliehoek concluded that zoos and breeders of pets can improve the genetic diversity of their species.

    Porpoise baby

    Source: dolfinarium.nl
    The Dolfinarium in Harderwijk, The Netherlands, rejoices with the birth of porpoise Kwin, as it is only the second porpoise ever born in captivity. Danish caretakers have come over from Denmark to help.

    Utensils

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    It has been known for some time that animals sometimes use objects to obtain food. Stones, sticks and pieces of iron wire are used to crack the food or to tinker food such as insects or honey out from small holes.

    Book

    Source: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008
    Mountain gorillas

    The Virunga Mountains is the habitat of the last 720 mountain gorillas. This is a beautiful area but also an area of large conflict. The fragile habitat of the mountain gorillas is affected further and further.

    Throwing rocks

    Source: NOS.nl
    Chimpanzee Santino throws rocks at visitors when he thinks it gets to crowded at the monkey house. With this behaviour the chimpanzee male from a Swedish zoo gave researchers enough material for a scientific publication.

    Attractive red mark

    Source: nrc.nl/wetenschap, photo: Stefano Corso
    Adults seagulls have a red mark on their beaks. This has to reasons. The seagull chicks peck at the red mark to beg for food. The red mark is also a signal to the partner, the larger the mark, the more interesting as a partner.

    Dogs and their masters

    Source: telegraph.co.uk
    Dogs look like their masters and the other way around. But the resemblance is only very superficial, researchers from Bath Spa University conclude. The personal characteristics of the owners can not be predicted on the basis of the dog breed.

    Carnivore

    Source: EZNC
    Carnivore means meat eater, herbivore means plant eater and omnivore means an animal that eats both meat and plants. This means that a real carnivore, like for example a lion or a housecat, only eats meat. Is this true or not true?

    Horses domesticated for 5500 years

    Source: exeter.ac.uk
    For 5500 years horses are being kept for transportation, milk and meat. This is more than a thousand years longer than was previously assumed. Researchers from the University of Exeter discovered the traces in Kazachstan.

    Mexican beaded lizards

    Source: artis.nl, waza.org
    The Mexican beaded lizard is a venomous lizard. Its venom is produced the glans of the lower jaw. The lizards grabs a prey and spreads the venom in the victim by chewing on it.

    Butterflies migrate by car

    Source: dur.ac.uk
    Two species of butterflies were taken by car to cooler areas in the North of Great Britain. Over a period of eight years, they were followed around in their new habitat. The extraordinaire method of relocating the butterflies proved successful.

    Singing zebra finches

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Just as little children learn how to talk, young zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) learn how to sing. The young birds recognize the songs of their dads and will start making songs of their own.

    Capybaras

    Source: waza.org
    Capybaras are often seen in zoos. There are kept there for educational purposes (they are the largest rodents in the world) and as ambassadors for the protection of tropical wetlands.

    Rock-throwing macaques

    Source: nrc.nl
    At a research institute in Inuayama (Japan) lives an interesting group of Japanese macaques. The macaques throw rocks, especially when they are excited. This behaviour was compared to behaviour in nine other macaque groups.

    Unexpected and yet begotten...

    Source: independent.co.uk
    Tuatara Henry has become a father at the age of 111. The museum where he is staying reports that this is his first time. An operation changed him from a grumpy animal, with no interest in females, into a virile male.

    Housing the poison dart frog

    Source: De Pijlgifkikker, een temperamentvolle Zuid-Amerikaan, Stichting Sauria, 2005
    Posion dart frogs can be kept in a terrarium or in a paludarium (a frog tank). These tanks can be purchased or they can be made by a handy do-it-yourselfer. Different species of poison dart frogs can best be housed separately.

    Book

    Source: Oxford University Press
    Zoo Animals: Behaviour, Management and Welfare

    Animals in zoos are becoming more and more important in the conservation of threatened species. But how do these zoos operate on a day to day basis? How are these animals taken care of?

    Manatees in Gabon

    Source: WWF
    At World Wetlands Day the government of Gabon (West Africa) has registered three important nature reserves at an international convention. The government thereby obligates itself use and manage these wetlands responsibly.

    How fish feed

    Source: The Waltham Book of Companion Animal Nutrition, Pergamon Press, 1993
    Fish use a whole arsenal of tricks in order to find their feed, using sound, scent, sight, touch and electro receptors, depending on the species.

    Grey nurse sharks endangered

    Source: www.dpi.nsp.gov.au
    The grey nurse shark is a large shark (over three meters in length) that occurs worldwide. The shark has a grey back and a white underside. The sharks are stout, with two large dorsal fins and an elongated tail.

    Winter zoo

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Just like in the human world, in the animal world, responses to snow, cold and ice vary. Some people revive when they can go ice skating, while others would rather crawl inside the heater than to sit in front of it.

    Book

    Source: Teton Newmedia, 2006
    A guide to poisonous house and garden plants

    This guide describes many of the home and garden plants that are likely to poison companion animals. It includes several tables that list the plants by toxin, by clinical signs of poisoning, and by those plants that have poisonous seeds.

    Colored furs

    Source: uu.se
    The furs of our dogs, cows and other domesticated animals, come in many colors and patterns, while the furs of wild animals are much more uniform. Researchers in Sweden and the United Kingdom discovered why. The results were recently published in PLoS Genetics.

    Feeding young poison dart frogs

    Source: De Pijlgifkikker, een temperamentvolle Zuid-Amerikaan, Stichting Sauria, 2005
    The right feed is important for every animal, but especially for young animals, that are still growing. This is also true for young poison dart frogs.

    Live birth of elephants

    Source: zooantwerpen.be
    In Antwerpen Zoo, the birth of an Asian elephant is awaited with a lot of excitement. As the zoo wishes everyone to share the suspense, a website was launched to follow the pregnancy and even the birth.

    Book

    Source: Pan Macmillan Ltd, 2008
    Going, going, gone

    In this second edition of Going, going, gone 100 conservation organisations have picked a plant or animal they believe needs the most attention. This turns the book into an overview of what needs to be done the coming years.

    How horses recognise each other

    Source: sussex.ac.uk
    Researchers in England have shown that horses, just like humans, use both sound and image in order to recognise each other. This was done by combining the sight on a horse with a sound of the same horse or another horse.

    Behaviour of the poison dart frog

    Source: De Pijlgifkikker, een temperamentvolle Zuid-Amerikaan, Stichting Sauria, 2005
    Poison dart frogs are active during the day. This is one of the reasons they have such bright colours. The colours are a warning for predators.

    Fishes' own taste

    Source: The Waltham Book of Companion Animal Nutrition, Pergamon Press, 1993
    Just like mammals, fishes can distinguish between taste and scent. A difference, however, is that the taste receptors of fishes can not only be found in the mouth but spread out over their entire body.

    Wet nose for better smell

    Source: newscientist.com
    Dogs owe their keen nose (for food to cocaine and money) to their nasal membrane. This membrane preselects the scent, which enables the animals to distinguish a lot more scents.

    Iberian lynxes released back into the wild

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Workers of the program LIFE for saving the Iberian lynx will release a number of lynxes that are born in captivity back into the wild in 2009. The Iberian lynx is seen as one of the most rare feline species.

    Female monkeys 'chat' more than male monkeys

    Source: roehampton.ac.uk
    British scientists have discovered that female monkeys communicate a lot more than males. They discovered this in a study with macaques monkeys on the island Cayo Santiago off Puerto Rico.

    Color of tropical fishes

    Source: The Waltham Book of Companion Animal Nutrition, Pergamon Press, 1993
    Tropical fishes come in many colors. Red, blue, purple, orange, yellow, silver and green occur in different combinations and graduations. These colors play a large part in the fishes' social conduct.

    Rabbits on YouTube

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Modern media are used to help animals in shelters find a new owner. By movies of rabbits that were put on YouTube, the rabbits of a rodent shelter in Utrecht (The Netherlands) have suddenly become very popular.

    Book

    Source: Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2008
    Current advances in selenium research and applications

    Selenium (Se) is an essential dietary trace element in both animals and humans. It participates in various physiological processes in the form of selenoproteins or the amino acid selenocysteine.

    Effect of feed on feather pecking

    Source: wageningenuniversiteit.nl
    A graduate in Wageningen showed that the feather pecking in chickens can be diminished by presenting the animals with diluted feed. This way, the chickens spend more time feeding and will peck their feathers significantly less.

    Giant turtles trained to climb scales

    Source: deharpij.nl
    In a Dutch zoo, two giant turtles have been trained to climb on a scale out of their own account over the last months. The animals have to be weighed four times a years and lifting them on the scale led to stress each time.

    Moles blind by birth

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl, photo: Wikipedia, Hannes Grobe
    It was assumed that moles are virtually blind because they live under ground. Their sight would be normal at birth but decrease due to the dark. Three researchers have now taken a closer look at this assumption.

    Competition amongst predators

    Source: kennislink.nl
    According to classical ecological theory, only one predator can survive when two predators are after the same prey. Theoretic ecologists of the university of Amsterdam, however, come to whole other findings.

    Protecting birds of prey

    Source: minlnv.nl
    On October 22nd, 2008, an agreement was signed by 28 countries in Abu Dhabi. The countries agreed to better protect migrating birds of prey and owls in Europe, Africa and Asia. The agreement involves 78 kinds of birds.

    Book

    Source: waza.org
    FROG Oddities & Trivia

    A Journey Through the Rapidly Shrinking World of Amphibians
    (While There is Still Time to Save Them)

    by Tim O'Brian and illustrations by John Graziano

    Hereditary factor sweet itch

    Source: wageningenuniversiteit.nl
    Sweet itch is regularly seen in horses that remain outdoors. In the Netherlands, ten to fifteen percent of the horses is affected. Sweet itch is an allergic reaction to the bite of a midge, a small mosquito of the Culicoides family.

    Scientific view on animal welfare

    Source: landbouwleven.be
    In September, scientists looked at animal welfare from an objective perspective. During the WAFL congress in Gent, they talked about improving indicators for animal welfare. The goal: creating a good assessment protocol and one global value for animal welfare in any situation.

    Book

    Source: Blackwell Publishers, 2nd edition
    Handbook of Primate Husbandry and Welfare

    This book outlines the basic husbandry of primates and factors that can help improve their welfare when in captivity. The authors cover nine main topics starting with general information on primate classification, ...

    Comforting reduces stress

    Source: chesterzoo.org
    Also with chimps the amount of stress after a fight is reduced by a hug or a kiss. This was the conclusion of a research on a group of chimps in Chester Zoo in England.

    Meat, but fish as well

    Source: ring.uvic.ca
    Wolves are particularly fond of meat, but a little bit of salmon, they won't reject. Researchers of the University of Victoria in Canada have discovered this by studying wolf droppings.

    Protein in the feed of tortoises

    Source: Keeping and breeding tortoises in captivity, A.C. Highfield, 1990
    The feed of tortoises in the wild contains one to five percent of protein. It is safe to assume that food that is regularly presented can contain a level of protein of seven percent maximum.

    Lion-tailed macaques born in Blijdorp

    Source: rotterdamzoo.nl
    The lion-tailed macaque is an extremely endangered monkey from West India. It is estimated that around two thousand animals remain in the wild and another two hundred in European zoos.

    Feed bantam cock chicks

    Source: Dwerghoenders, Helga Fritzsche, Elsevier, 1986
    The first 24 hours after the hatching of the eggs, bentam cock chicks still live off the remainder of the egg yoke. Rest and warmth are at this stage more important than food. When the chicks begin to pick the straw, it is time to feed them for the first time.

    Elephant Talk

    Source: trouw.nl
    A German biologist is studying elephant talk. For her research, she visits the elephants of different European zoos (Emmen, Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne). Her study focusses on the difference ....

    Swapping Giraffes

    Source: dierenpark-emmen.nl
    In Emmen Zoo a swapping of male giraffes has taken place. In April 2007, the male giraffe Nexus died. Emmen Zoo has been looking for a replacement for some time.

    Fiber in tortoise feed

    Source: Keeping and breeding tortoises in captivity, A.C. Highfield, 1990
    Fiber is an essential part of a good feed for tortoises, a part which is often left out. Lack of fiber causes a poor digestion, diarrhoea and enlarges the chance that the animals get colic.

    Special Chameleon

    Source: nrc.nl
    The chameleon ‘Furcifer labordi’ spends more than halve of his life in an egg. This has never been seen in any vertebrae on four legs. Researchers of Oklahoma State University made this amazing discovery on Madagascar.

    Hamster!

    Source: EZNC
    Both the Syrian hamster as the dwarf hamster are real hamsters, as their name indicated. They try to eat all, collect it and bring it back in their pouches. These pouches are thin and elastic.

    Lost Penguins

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    In the vicinity of the Brazilian city Rio de Janeiro five penguins appeared. Three were picked up by fishermen, two were found on a beach. The penguins have been taken care of by nearby a shelter in Nterói.

    Moving to South-Africa

    Source: vier-voeters.nl
    Eleven large and wild felines have recently been successfully moved from Romania to South-Africa. The animal welfare organization Vier Voeters (Four Paws) organized this gigantic project.

    Tricky Wall Barley

    Source: EZNC
    In the summer months, animals and people, but especially dogs and cats, may be bothered by the wall barley. The wall barley is a grass-related stub, that looks like a small, green ear of wheat. The seeds may pierce into the skin of animals and cause a lot of nuisance.

    Book

    Source: Third Line Press, 1996 (2nd edition)
    Nutritional influences on illness

    Clinical nutrition was initially limited to treating general malnutrition and specific nutritional deficiency states. As nutritional science has developed, the field has gradually broadened to include the treatment of ...

    Book

    Source: Earthscan Publications Ltd, 2003
    The trade in wildlife

    Regulating the trade in wild life fails. Despite of knowledge about the problem and despite world trade agreements, an increasing number of plants and animals are threatened with extinction.

    The End of the Bee?

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    During the winter around ten percent of all bees dies. In the summertime bees increase again by this number. Usually. But during the last two years, the losses during the winter have been too great to overcome.

    Time and place linked in biological clock

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Knowing at what time food can be found where or knowing which places are dangerous is crucial to mammals. But how does this work? Researchers of the university of Groningen have found some answers.

    Feed and diabetes in degus

    Source: Diseases of small domestic rodents, V.C.G. Richardson
    In nature degus eat branches, twigs, bark and leaves. The digesting system of the degu isn't built for digesting sugar and carbohydrates. Because of this, degus are prone to diabetes.

    Shocking fall of Sharks in the Mediterranean Sea

    Source: nu.nl
    The American Lenfest Ocean Program has published a research on the sharks in the Mediterranean Sea. The conclusion is a fall of 97 percent of the total number of sharks.

    Coprophagy

    Source: EZNC
    Coprophagy, derived from the Greek kopros (feces) and phagein (to eat), is the scientific name for the consuming of feces. For some animals, such as rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs, coprophagy is a normal part of the digestion process.

    Return of the Rhino in Indian park

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Only a short time ago, two male rhinos were introduced in Manas National Park in India. Shortly they will receive company of two females. It's the first time in a decade that rhinos can be spotted in Manas.

    Black Howler Monkeys

    Source: bestzoo.nl
    In BestZOO in the Netherlands, two new residents can be observed and above all heard. A couple of black howler monkeys has taken up residence. The animals moved in from zoos in Germany and France.

    Warm meal for apes?

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    According to the British journal New Scientist, studies with chimps, gorillas and orangutans show that these apes prefer cooked food. During the experiments, the apes preferred the cooked meat, ...

    Book

    Source: Natural History Museum, London, 2007
    Natural History Museum Animal Records

    This book was published by the Natural History Museum in London. It is nicely illustrated with a great diversity of records and other interesting information about the animal kingdom.

    Treats for the chinchilla

    Source: EZNC
    As chinchillas are herbivores, their diet consists of a lot of fiber. However, most food at hand, is not very rich in nutrients. Therefore, chinchillas living in captivity should always be provided with special chinchilla pellets, with fresh and good quality hey (in a rack to prevent in from getting dirty), and with clean water.

    Frogs well-off due to nature friendly bank control

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Researchers of the university of Leiden have studied the role of bank control in prevalence of amphibians in ditches. The results were published in Biological Conservation.

    Vitamin D, Ca and P in Chinchilla feed

    Source: Diseases of small domestic rodents, V.C.G. Richardson, 2003
    Vitamin D, calcium and phosphor are important substances for the formation of bone and teeth. Vitamin D is created when the skin comes in contact with sunlight. It is also added to the feed.

    Baby Humboldt Penguin in Antwerp Zoo

    Source: zooantwerpen.be, zodiacanimals.nl
    The Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) is an endemic bird of coastal Chile and Peru. It has a black back and a white belly. Both males and females are around 70 centimetres in size and weigh four kilos.

    Book

    Source: Blackwell Publishing, 2003
    Diseases of Small Rodents

    This guide deals with a number of small rodents that are often kept as pets. Separate chapters deal with chinchillas, chipmunks, degus, gerbils, hamsters, mice and rats.

    More Tigers in Captivity

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    An article in Current Biology indicated that there are seven times as many tigers living in captivity than in nature. However, captive animals can add to the wild population.

    Jelly for Starfishes

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    In Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem a jelly has been created to feed a crown-of-thorns starfish. Burgers' is the first zoo in the Netherlands to keep this starfish in an aquarium.

    Seal Relief Centre in Canada

    Source: zeehondencreche.nl
    Prince Edward Island in Canada, home of many seal hunters, is to harvest a professional seal rehabilitation centre before June this year. This was recently reported by Lenie 't Hart, director or the seal rehabilitation and research centre (SRRC) in Pieterburen.

    African Buffalo Twins

    Source: zooantwerpen.be
    Antwerp Zoo was surprised by a unique event: an African buffalo giving birth to twins. Even in the wild, this is very rare. The caretakers suspect that both baby-buffalos are girls.

    Flamingo visits Texel

    Source: Natuurmonumenten.nl
    Since the beginning of February, a lesser flamingo has been spotted on the isle of Texel (The Netherlands). Two foresters made this surprising discovery when they were placing a webcam.

    Feeding chickens

    Source: EZNC
    The ancestors of our tame chickens lived off grain, carrots, small snails, insects, larvae and greens. Tame chickens have the same need of carbohydrates, fat, plant and animal protein, ...

    Octopus Romance

    Source: Berkeley.edu
    It is assumed that octopuses are unsociable animals, lacking any complex reproduction behavior. However, a researcher of the University of Berkeley (California) observed something very different at the coast of Sulawesi (Indonesia).

    Cooperating nature reserves are helping both man and gorilla

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Recently, a new, cross-border cooperation started between nature reserves of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. The project aims at the National Parks Virunga and Bwindi, which borders these countries.

    Feeding dwarf hamsters (in captivity)

    Source: EZNC
    Ready made dry feed is available for dwarf hamsters. Every pellet has the same composition. This makes sure that the hamsters get all the substances they need. Less goes to waste, as the animals do not get a chance to select the feed.

    Rare hornbill in Avifauna

    Source: avifauna.nl
    Bird park Avifauna recently obtained two couples of an extremely rare bird: the Visayan Tarictic hornbill. Besides Avifauna, there is only one other zoo in the world, where...

    Male Company for Japanese Serow

    Source: overloonzoo.nl
    The female Japanese serow in Overloon Zoo Parc has been given male company. The male was brought in from an Austrian zoo. This way, Overloon Zoo Parc wishes to see some baby goat-antelopes in the future.

    Book

    Author: Tony Buffington, Cheryl Holloway, Sarah Abood
    Manual of Veterinary dietetics

    This manual is written by a team experienced in veterinary dietetics. It is an extended guide on how to feed healthy pets as well as pets that are ill.

    New moth discovered

    Source: Trouw
    In 2005 Piet Zumkehr discovered a new moth in Papua (Indonesian New Guinea) during an expedition with Rob de Vos, butterfly expert of the Zoological Museum in Amsterdam.

    Right feed for the elderly pet

    Source: AllAboutFeed.net
    Just like humans, pets can get complaints when they grow older, such as arthritis, impaired hearing and impaired sight. Their capability to taste and smell also diminishes.

    Montagu's harrier sleeping-place

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    In Senegal a sleeping-place has been discovered, sheltering thirteen hundred Montagu's harriers. This is one of the largest sleeping-places in the world. The Study Group Montagu's Harrier discovered the sleeping-place....

    New mammal discovered

    Source: California Academy of Sciences
    In Tanzania a new mammal has been discovered. The animal has the size of a cat and the appearance of a large shrew. Its fur is orange brown. It has long thin legs and a long flexible snout.

    Dwarf Hamster Feed

    Source: EZNC
    In the wild, the feeding habits of the dwarf hamster depend on its habitat. But there are similarities to be found. Favorite are seeds, grass and herbs. Fruits, leaves and carrots also form part of the diet, but also small animals, such as small beetles, spiders, insects and even snails.

    Pig-out thanks to a second aorta

    Source: trouw.nl
    Crocodiles are well known for their voraciousness. The animals are capable of having enormous meals in very short amounts of time, after which they do not need to dine for a long time.

    Book

    Author: A.C. Highfield
    This is a guide to tortoises. It deals with the use of breeding tortoises in captivity. Breeding tortoises in captivity may be the solution for certain types that are threatened with extinction.

    Okopipis in Rotterdam Zoo

    Source: rotterdamzoo.nl
    After many years, Rotterdam Zoo finally succeeded in breeding okopipis, or blue poison dart frogs. The ten blue baby frogs are meant to contribute to the survival of this endangered species.

    Mammals that lay eggs

    The platypus and the echidna are very special mammals. They are the only mammals that lay eggs. The platypus and the echidna are also called monotremes. Monotreme is Greek for 'one hole'.

    Year of the frog

    Source: nvdzoos.nl
    The year 2008 has been declared by zoos as year of the frog. This is part of the yearly campaign of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) to get attention for a specific issue.

    Birds fifty years from now

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    The Dutch SOVON foundation for bird research and the Dutch Bird Protection Society have composed a Climate Atlas of European Breeding Birds, in association with Dunham University. The atlas came out in January in several European countries.

    Book

    Athor: Udo Ganslosser
    Die Kängurus

    This German book explores the wonderful world of kangaroos. In the first chapter other marsupials such as koala's and opossums are discussed, but the main focus lies with the kangaroos.

    Turtles on the wild coast

    Source: metronieuws.nl
    Explorers who first laid eyes upon the coast of Suriname called it 'The Wild Coast'. The land consists of only a small strip of land with tropical forest behind. The beach of Matapica is also known as 'turtle beach'.

    Polar bear fur

    The fur of polar bears appears to be white and makes them blend in with their environment. But the hairs of a polar bear are in fact not white at all. The hairs are hollow and translucent. The skin of a polar bear is black.

    Parrot talk

    Source: trouw.nl
    The best known exclamation of parrots is 'hello', as parrots are capable of imitation of human speech. The definition of parroting is 'to repeat without understanding'. But after a heavy training, parrots do understand what they are saying.

    Hibernation and winter rest

    Source: de gelderlander
    The start of a period with night frost is for many animals the sign to start their hibernation and retreat for a longer period of time in a secluded area. This is also the case for the hedgehog.

    25 Konik horses to Latvia

    Source: groningerlandschap.nl
    Twenty-five Konik horses from the Zuidlaardermeer were moved to Latvia in early December. The Groninger Landscape donates the animals to the WWF.

    10 millionth tree for mountain gorillas

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    At the end of november 2007, the WWF planted the ten millionth tree near the East-Congo city Goma. The trees have been planted in the vicinity of Virunga National Park. This is a project that has been running since 1987.

    Book

    Authors: David Frape & D. Frape
    Equine Nutrition and Feeding

    The book Equine Nutrition and Feeding has become a standard work on the subject. Many aspects of feeding and breeding workhorses, breeding horses, and growing animals are dealt with, based on scientific data.

    Red Ruffed Lemurs in Frisia

    Source: frieslandzoo.nl
    Lately, Red Ruffed Lemurs can be spotted in Aqua Zoo Frisia. They inhabit the lemur island, together with the ring-tailed lemurs. Red ruffed lemurs are strepsirrhini. They are native only to Madagascar, just like the ring-tailed lemur.

    Chocolate poisoning

    Cocoa contains a number of substances that can be poisonous for pets. Especially for dogs chocolate is very poisonous, as dogs are slower at braking down and excreting substances such as theobromine and caffeine.

    Genetic Antagonism in Red Deer

    Source: nrc.nl
    Red deer (Cervus elaphus) genes that result in strong females are disadvantageous for the stags. The opposite is also true. Scottish and British researchers report this in the journal of science Nature.

    Book

    The complete guide to dwarf seahorses in the aquarium

    This is a guide for keeping dwarf seahorses in an aquarium. In the wild, dwarf seahorses can be found in the Gulf of Mexico. Its natural habitat is very rich in food, such as plankton.

    Agriculture and Fisheries Council

    Source: minlnv.nl
    On 22 and 23 October, the European Agriculture and Fisheries Council met in Luxembourg. Two of the issues, animal health strategy and regulations in animal transport, are mentioned below.

    Oldest animal on earth?

    Source: bangor.ac.uk
    In the vicinity of Iceland a clam has been fished up from the Atlantic Ocean of whom biologists claim it to be between 405 and 410 years of age. The clam is an ocean quahog or Icelandic cyprine (Arctica Islandica). When this quahog was a youngster, the 80 year war was fought (1568-1648).

    Primate problems

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Recently, the International Primatological Society (IPS), an environmental organisation, presented a report in Hainan (China). It concluded that almost one third of all primates is threatened with extinction.

    Goldfish Playing Soccer

    Source: fish-school.com
    Not only dolphins, sea lions and tigers are able to learn tricks. Even goldfish can be trained to play soccer and to jump through a ring.
    Dean Pomerleau and his sun Kyle have developed a method to teach fish several tricks, based on positive conditioning.

    Ants Count Their Steps

    Source: Science
    Ants can always find the way back to their nest. It was already known that they could determine the right direction by looking at the sky and the incidence of light. But how ants determine the distance to the nest was yet unknown.

    Cooling stripes

    The zebra can be easily recognized by its black and white stripes. These stripes are a protection mechanism. Lions, the zebra’s main natural enemies, see everything black and white.

    Elephants afraid of bees

    Source: nrc.nl
    African elephants are not scared of many things, but for African honey bees they flee. The sound of the bees proved enough to chase the elephants away. It had been noted before that elephants avoid acacia trees and their bee nests.

    Watch out! Poisonous

    Source: wistudat.net
    The most poisonous animal on earth is a tiny yellow-black frog, named kokoi. The animal is two or three centimetres and weighs one gram. It belongs to the Dendrobatidae family, which consist of 170 poisonous species.

    Book

    Author: Charlotten Uhlenbroek
    Talking with animals

    How do animals communicate with each other in the depths of the ocean or on the wide savannas? Crickets, lions, dolphins, and monkeys, every animal has its own reasons to communicate, ...

    New godwit migration record

    Source: Nu.nl
    In New Zealand, researchers have implanted a transmitter in a godwit at the start of this year. The godwit was then given the name E7.
    E7 flew from New Zealand to Alaska and back again. During this flight, it flew 11.500 kilometres non-stop and broke the migration record.

    Tigers in India

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    In a tropical rainforest in Maharashtra in the west of India, tigers have been spotted again for the first time in thirty years.
    For years, environmental experts assumed that tigers had become entirely extinct, due to poachers.

    Biting technique moray eel

    Source: nrc.nl
    Moray eels can be found mainly in subtropical waters. They are predators and often hide in crevices. They have been known to bite the fingers of divers, when they enter the crevice. But when the animals are left alone, they will not attack, but rather hide from humans.

    Sex in exchange for fruit

    Source: vroegevogels.vara.nl
    The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. With monkeys, this also seems to apply to females. Researchers from the Scottish Stirling University discovered that male chimpanzees steal fruit from gardens and fields to impress their lovers.

    EAZA conference in Poland

    Source: Eaza.net
    Mid September, the 24th annual EAZA conference took place in Poland.
    More than 550 participants were welcomed by the director of Warsaw Zoo, Jan Maciej Rembiszewski, by Poland’s minister of conservation, and by Bert de Boer, the chairman of the EAZA.

    Book

    Source: Misset
    Cattle Breeds, an encyclopaedia

    There are very small cows and very big ones. There are red cows and black cows, white cows and light brown ones. There are cows with horns and cows without horns, cows with a lot of milk and cows with a lot of meat.

    African national parks supported by nature conservancies

    Source: Vroegevogels.vara.nl
    Two nature conservancies, the World Wide Fund (WWF) and African Parks, will try to make the national parks in Africa financially healthy. The organisations wish to run the parks as a company. They believe that this way they can secure the future of the parks.

    Obesity in pets

    Source: AllAboutFeed.net
    Obesity is a serious problem for a third of all dogs and cats in Great Britain. This was reported by the section animals insurance of Sainsbury Bank. They estimated that around 2,7 million dogs and 2,8 million cats suffer from obesity.

    Book

    Source: Barron's Educational Series
    Tarantula Keeper's Guide

    This book gives a lot of information about tarantulas. It can be used by collectors of exotic pets, and for life science students specializing in arachnids (spiders and their relatives).

    Seahorse reproduction

    Source: Wikipedia
    The reproduction of seahorses is remarkable. The male develops the eggs in a sort of pouch on the belly. Prior to mating, an extended mating dance is performed, during which the animals also change colour. During mating, when the tails of the couple are intertwined, ....

    Do frightened guppies live longer?

    Source: Psychologie jaarkalender
    Guppies can be divided in three groups: reckless, scared and ‘normal’ (not very reckless and not very scared). During a test, these three groups were put together in an aquarium with piranha’s. The piranha is a big enemy of the guppy.

    Clever orang-utans surprises primatologists

    Source: nrc.nl
    In Leipzig Zoo, primatologists of the Leipzig Max Planck Institute for evolutionary anthropology conducted a research with five orang-utans. The results are published in the scientific journal Biology Letters. The primatologists offered the orang-utans a plexiglass tube with some water and a floating peanut.

    Book

    Source: Elsevier Health Sciences
    Zoo And Wild Animal Medicine

    This is a useful book for student zoo veterinarians, wildlife veterinarians, wildlife biologists, rehabilitators, and general practitioners. It is organised by species and covers diagnosis and treatment of zoo and wild animals.

    Macleay's Spectre Stick Insects (Extatosoma tiaratum)

    The Macleay's Spectre Stick Insect (MSSI) is a member of the stick insects and leaf insects. This branch of insects (Phasmidae) contains (as far as known) about 2500 species. Insects belonging to this family can vary in length from several centimetres up to half a meter. The common Indian stick insect (Causaurius morosus) and the European stick insect (Bacillus Rossius) are very well known.

    Results CITES-conference please minister Verburg

    Source: minlnv.nl
    Last June, the international conference about the trade in endangered wild animals and plants was held in the Hague. Minister Verburg, of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) looks back pleased on the conference. A debate on the African elephant, which had been ongoing for the last 18 years, was concluded successfully, and large steps were taken towards the protection of the eel and South American kinds of wood.

    Feed for amphibian larvae

    Source: Reptielen en amfibiën, R. Davies en V. Davies, 1997, Tirion
    The food demands of frog larvae and that of salamander larvae are completely different. Frog larvae are primarily herbivores. They accept pulverised fish flake feed. They also graze the algae from the windows of the aquarium. After some time they become omnivores, after which they are also capable of eating meat. For this purpose, a small piece of lean raw beef can be hung from a string into the aquarium.

    Book

    Source: Robert J. Young, Blackwell Science Ltd, 2003, ISBN10: 0632064072, ISBN13: 9780632064076
    Environmental Enrichment For Captive Animals

    Environmental enrichment is a simple and effective means of improving animal welfare in any species - companion, farm, laboratory and zoo. For many years, it has been a popular area of research, and has attracted the attention and concerns of animal keepers and carers, animal industry professionals, academics, students and pet owners all over the world.

    Sooty shearwater

    Source: wikipedia
    The sooty shearwater (Puffinus griseus)crosses the Pacific Ocean in less than a year and travels on average 65.000 kilometres. The bird flies from its nesting home in New Zealand to areas off the coasts of Alaska, Japan, and California, and back. During this migration the shearwater draws a large ‘8’ across the Pacific Ocean and profits from constant air currents (such as the trade wind). This way, shearwaters can travel more than 900 kilometres a day.

    Frightened rabbits cause variation in the vegetation

    Source: wur.nl
    Rabbits prefer to graze as close to their burrow as possible. Only when there really isn’t enough to eat, they dare to go further away from their safe holes. Thus they create an environment in the ecosystem, that some plants make use of.

    Released panda died

    Source: volkskrant.nl
    Last Thursday was made known that the giant panda Xiang Xiang, that was released in the wild last year, has died. Xiang Xiang was the first panda born in captivity who was released back into the wild. He was found ...

    Background noise affects sea mammals

    Source: minlnv.nl
    A research is being carried out with regard to the influence of background noise on sea mammals. For this, two porpoises are used that have been beached some time ago on the Dutch coast and have remained since then in the dolphinarium.

    Gorilla Bokito escapes

    Source: rotterdamzoo.nl
    Friday the 18th of May, the male gorilla Bokito escaped from his residence in Diergaarde Blijdorp. He jumped over the moat and wounded three visitors, one of them seriously. Bokito could soon be sedated and brought back to his residence.

    Book

    Simon Girling, Blackwell Publishing, ISBN 1405107472
    Veterinary nursing of exotic pets

    From iguanas to gerbils, from turtles to chinchilla’s, the interest in exotic pets has increased dramatically during the past years.

    Nutritional and Behavioral Effects of Gorge and Fast Feeding in Captive Lions

    Source: J.D. Altman, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 2005, Vol. 8, No. 1, Pages 47-57
    Nonhuman animals in captivity manifest behaviors and physiological conditions that are not common in the wild. Lions in captivity face problems of obesity, inactivity, and stereotypy. To mediate common problems of captive lions, this study implemented .....

    Annual and seasonal trends in the use of garden feeders by birds in winter

    Source: D.E. Chamberlain, J.A. Vickery, D.E. Glue, R.A. Robinson, et al (2005) Volume 147 Issue 3 Page 563, Ibis 147 (3), 563–575.
    Provision of bird food in gardens is a common activity that may provide an alternative food source to birds in winter. Long-term survey data recording the weekly presence of all bird species using garden feeders in the winter were analysed to see ....

    Nutritional and Behavioral Effects of Gorge and Fast Feeding in Captive Lions

    Source: J.D. Altman, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 2005, Vol. 8, No. 1, Pages 47-57
    The effect of gorge and fast feeding on nutritional status and activity pattters was tested in captive African lions (Panthera leo).

    Annual and seasonal trends in the use of garden feeders by birds in winter

    Source: D.E. Chamberlain, J.A. Vickery, D.E. Glue, R.A. Robinson, et al (2005) Volume 147 Issue 3 Page 563, Ibis 147 (3), 563–575.
    The effect of bird feeding in winter on bird population

    Diet of the Humboldt penguin in northern and southern Chile

    Source: C. Herling, B. M. Culik and J. C. Hennicke, 2005, Marine Biology, Volume 147, number 1
    The diet of the Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) was examined and compared in two colonies in Chile.

    Acid-insoluble ash as a measure of dry matter digestibility in captive African elephants

    Source: C. Pendlebury, N.E. Odongo, A. Renjifo, J. Naelitz, E.V. Valdes, B.W. McBride, 2005, Zoo Biol 0:1-5, Volume 24, Issue 3 , Pages 261 – 265
    There are limited data on the diet dry matter digestibility (DMD) of captive African elephants (Loxodonta africana)

    Ducks better off without bread

    Source: Dutch Animal Protection Society
    A great part of the so called park ducks dies untimely due to obesity and a shortage of vitamins, chalk, and minerals. This is caused by one-sided and unnecessary supplements of bread. Except during a winter period with enduring frost, feeding ducks is completely unnecessary.

    Butterfly feed

    Source: EZNC
    Nice to see, the fluttering paintings. Especially the tropical butterflies are simply picturesque. But what do butterflies actually eat?

    Books

    Source: Advanced Vivarium Systems
    What's Wrong With My Snake?
    This user-friendly reference lists the main medical problems in snakes. According to the book, the location of the cage can affect the snake’s appetite.

    Galapagos Islands in danger

    Source: Reformatorisch dagblad
    The Galapagos Islands are in 'ecological danger', according to the president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa. He has therefore issued an ordinance in Quito last Tuesday which considerably limits the access to the islands, which is situated a thousand kilometres west of the South-American continent.

    The Wildlife Information Network

    Source: WAZA
    The Wildlife Information Network (WIN), will make her information available for developing countries.

    Transport of horses in Benelux more flexible

    Source: LNV
    Veterinary authorities of Belgium, Luxemburg and The Netherlands have agreed to make the transport of horses within the Benelux easier. Riders can thus more easily cross borders.

    Gencorn provender at Dutch farms

    Source: de Volkskrant
    According to Greenpeace, the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA) has blocked provender at several Dutch farms, as the feed seems to be polluted by genetically modified corn.

    Migratory behaviour of captive white-crowned sparrows

    Source: R. Agatsuma and M. Ramenofsky, 2006, Behaviour, Volume 143, Number 10
    Gambel’s white-crown sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii is a long-distance, overland migrant. In captivity birds display many characteristics of the autumn and spring migratory life history stages that include hyperphagia, fattening and high intensity nocturnal activity termed migratory restlessness or Zugunruhe.

    Growth and feed efficiency ratio of juvenile spotted wolffish

    Source: A. K. Imsland, A. Foss, L. O. Sparboesand and S. Sigurdsson, 2006, Journal of Fish Biology Volume 68 Issue 4 Page 1107
    The growth properties of juvenile spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor reared at 4, 6, 8 and 12° C, and a group reared under 'temperature steps', (T step)i.e. with temperature reduced successively from 12 to 9 and 6° C were investigated.

    The Wildlife Information Network

    Bron: WAZA
    Wildlife Information Network (WIN), gaat haar informatie vrij beschikbaar stellen in ontwikkelingslanden. In 109 verschillende landen komen gegevens beschikbaar voor dierenartsen, wildlife beheerders en studenten.

    Body mass dynamic in Eurasian lynx kittens during lactation

    Source: S.V. Naidenko, Acta Theriologica, Volume 51, Number 1, 2006, pp. 91-98(8)
    Body mass changes of Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx kittens during the first four months of their life were studied in 1989-1999 in captivity. Four hundred thirteen records of body mass from 63 lynx kittens were analysed.

    Enzymatic activity of lipase in post-metamorphic phase bullfrogs

    Source: L.G. Tavares Braga, et al, Sci. agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.) vol.63 no.5, 2006
    The knowledge of the digestive system of bullfrogs is an important step for the determination of their nutritional requirements throughout growth phases.

    Monkey business Emmen baboons

    Source: Emmen zoo
    It’s extremely quiet on the baboon island of Emmen zoo. The monkeys, which are normally busy and noisy, are sitting close together in a quiet corner of the rocks.

    Part of BSE tests proofs unreliable

    Source: Zibb.nl
    Two BSE tests which are approved in Europe failed a check of the European agency for food safety EFSA. The EFSA says it worries about the solidness of several BSE tests. In a recommendation, the EFSA states that the fast BSE tests ought to be subjected to a strict quality check.

    Feeding racoons

    Source: EZNC
    Racoons are omnivores and are not picky when their feed is concerned. In the wild they eat small animals, such as worms, crayfishes, molluses, frogs, small mammals up to the size of a hare, lizards, fishes, larvae and even snakes.

    Feeding strategy and feeding methods

    Source: EZNC
    For exotic animals the main feeding strategies are the cafeteria feeding and the so called norm feeding.

    The dental troubles of dogs

    Source: animal protection society
    According to a press report from the Dutch Pet vererinarian Group, which cooperated with Pedigree, half of the dogs face serious dental troubles. From the 20.000 dogs that underwent a dental check-up in February, half of them appeared to have 'serious dental trouble'.

    Books

    Source: Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
    Birds of Prey, Health and Disease
    In 2002, the third edition of the book entitled "Veterinary Aspects of Captive Birds of Prey" came out. In this edition, the author has paid much attention to the history of falconry. It appeared that already in 1486 there was discussion going on about an illness in goshawks.

    Estimation of daily energetic requirements in young scalloped hammerhead sharks

    Source: Kanesa May Duncan, Environmental Biology of Fishes, Volume 76, Numbers 2-4, 2006
    Juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks, Sphyrna lewini, are apex predators within their nursery ground in Hawaii.

    Noise, predation risk compensation and vigilance in the chaffinch

    source: L. Quinn, John; J. Whittingham, Mark; J. Butler, Simon; Cresswell, Will, Journal of Avian Biology, Volume 37, Number 6, November 2006, pp. 601-608(8)
    Background noise should in theory hinder detection of auditory cues associated with approaching danger.

    Differences in Bone Mineral Content and Density between Male and Female Budgerigars during the Non-reproductive Season

    Source: ZULAUF-FISCHER, A. LIESEGANG, M. HAESSIG, M. CLAUSS, J.-M. HATT (2006), Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series A 53 (9), 456–457
    It is known that female birds increase medullary mineral stores in long bones shortly before egg laying.

    Future Directions in Reptile Medical Education

    Source: E. Jacobson, D. Heard, R. Isaza, Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, Vol 33, Issue 3, 373-381
    Reptile medicine has emerged as a specialty area within the broader field of zoological medicine. It encompasses the medical needs of approximately 7,500 vertebrate species. This vertebrate class is highly diversified, having biological and medical peculiarities that differ both between and within major groups.

    Koalas become lesbian in captivity

    Source: hln
    Australian researchers have discovered why it is so difficult to breed koalas in captivity. It seems that the female koalas turn lesbian, when they are taken from the wild.

    Animal Protection wishes animal friendly World Trade Agreement

    Source: Dierenbescherming (Dutch Animal Protection Society)
    The minister of Agriculture and the State Secretary of Economics talked recently with the Second Chamber concerning the World Trade agreement.

    Feeding birds of prey

    Source: E. Manuhutu, 2006
    What’s the difference between a piece of beef and a wild rabbit? Heaps, of course. You may expect that a bird of prey would see a tasty bite in both. This is probably true, but are both ‘prey’ just as suitable as feed?

    Feeding Kookaburra

    Source: Nature information, Smithsonian National Zoological Park
    The Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) is also known as the laughing jackass. Other than most kingfishers, the Kookaburra hunts for terrestrials. This kingfisher occurs in Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand and feeds on reptiles, insects, snails, small birds and frogs.

    Government policy statement concerning animals

    Source: Dierenbescherming (Dutch Animal Protection Society)
    The Dutch animal protection society is relieved that for the first time animal wellbeing is explicitly brought under attention in the coalition agreement. A new bill of animal wellbeing is namely included in the future Dutch coalition agreement.

    Books

    Source: Wageningen Academic Press
    Quantitative Aspects of Ruminant Digestion and Metabolism
    The first edition of this book appeared already in 1993. The book offers an overview of the digestion and metabolism of ruminants. Since then, a lot of new research has been performed.

    Diet and feeding behaviour of Kyphosus spp. in a Brazilian subtropical reef

    Source: R.A.M. Silvano, A. Ziggiatti Güth, Braz. arch. biol. technol. vol.49 no.4 Curitiba, 2006
    The present study analyzed and compared diet and feeding behaviour (substrate use, position in water column, interactions with other fishes) of Kyphosus spp. (sea chubs) in a Brazilian subtropical reef.

    High-fat intake by ponies reduces both apparent digestibility of dietary cellulose and cellulose fermentation by isolated caecal contents

    Source: W.L. Jansen, et al, /igitur-archive.library.uu.nl
    An increase in fat intake by horses has been shown to decrease the apparent digestibility of the various dietary fibre fractions, but the mechanism was unknown.

    Influence of nutrition on the quality of semen in Jaguars

    Source: R.C. Rodrigues, et al, International Zoo Yearbook, Volume 40, Number 1, 2006, pp. 351-359
    In Brazilian zoos wild felids in captivity are generally fed meat. However, considering the basic nutritional needs of the domestic cat Felis catus, beef may be deficient in calcium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, vitamins A, D and E, thiamin, folic acid and biotin.

    Diet of the black-headed heron

    Source: G. Kopij, Biologia, Volume 61, Number 2, 2006
    During the breeding season in South African grasslands,the diet of the black-headed heron (Ardea melanocephala) was studied using analysis of pellets and prey remnants (225 prey items identified)

    Burgers’ Zoo best visited zoo of the Netherlands in 2006

    Source: Nederlandse Vereniging van Dierentuinen
    In 2006 over ten million people paid a visit to one or more zoos, connected to the Dutch Association of Zoos (NVD), causing a better economical situation, as well as many zoological renovations. The weather has not quite been a positive factor and lowered the number of visitors.

    Seahorses

    Source: Wageningen UR
    The thirty species of seahorses and their close relatives, the great pipefishes, knifefishes, trumpetfishes, sea dragons en ghostfishes are real fishes with fins en gills, just like sticklebacks, for example. But how can their bizarre appearance be explained?

    Ban on selling dogs and cats in Belgian shops

    Source: hln
    In Belgium, a prohibition on selling dogs and cats in shops is on its way. The direct aim is to prevent impulse purchases. Indirectly, it is to prevent behaviour disorders in dogs. In some countries, the prohibition already exists.

    Nutrients for parrots

    Source: E.A. Koutons, et al, Journal of Avian Medcine and Surgery 15(4):257-275, 2001 en N.J. Schoenmaker et al, Tijdschrift voor Diergeneeskunde 124:39-43, 1999
    Parrots, parakeets and cockatoos are all birds belonging to the class of parrots (Psittaciformes). In the wild, these birds live in tropical and subtropical areas, but they also occur in the moderate climate of New Sealand and Australia.

    Books

    Source: Wageningen Academic Press
    Nutrition and feeding of the broodmare
    Renewing insights concerning the feed and fysiology during the gestation period and the lactation period form todays topics of conversation in the horse branche.

    Nutritional Requirements and Diet Choices of the Pygmy Rabbit

    Source: L.A. Shipley, Journal of Chemical Ecology, Volume 32, Number 11, 2006
    Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) comprises up to 99% of the winter and 50% of the summer diets of pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis). Few animals specialize on such plants as sagebrush, which contain high levels of plant chemicals that can be toxic.

    Habitat preferences of lesser rheas in Argentine Patagonia

    Source: L.M. Bellis, et al, Biodiversity and Conservation, Volume 15, Number 9, 2006
    This work reports the first results of a 3-year study (1998–2001) on habitat use and preferences by wild lesser rheas (Rhea pennata pennata) in the ecotone Monte–Patagonian steppe of Argentina.

    The Origins of Egg Eating in Snakes

    Source: A. de Queiroz and J.A. Rodríguez-Robles, The American Naturalist, volume 167 (2006), pages 684–694
    Evolutionary changes in animal diets must often begin through the inclusion of a novel food type as a minor component of the diet. An aspect of this initial change that has rarely been studied is the relationship between the existing diet and the use of specific novel foods.

    Parasites dominate food web links

    Source: K.D. Lafferty, A.P. Dobson, and A.M. Kuris, PNAS, vol. 103, no. 30, 2006
    Parasitism is the most common animal lifestyle, yet food webs rarely include parasites.
    The few earlier studies have indicated that including parasites leads to obvious increases in species richness, number of links, and food chain length.

    Investigation into porpoises washed ashore

    Source: LNV
    Most of the porpoises that washed ashore on Dutch beaches died by drowning in fishing nets. The rest of them appeared to have been unhealthy. These are the main conclusions of the investigation into the cause of the increasing amount of porpoises that lifelessly wash ashore.

    Animal trade over the internet

    Source: Novum en Nederlands dagblad
    Weekly, ten thousands of pets are being traded over the internet. Thus claim students of the HBO college of animal management in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. The total worth of the animals which are traded over two weeks time is estimated at nine million euro.

    What do camels and dromedaries eat?

    Source: EZNC
    Camels and dromedaries are herbivores, which means that they eat plants. You may feed them hay (roughage), and this can be made available to the animals all day. Grass, vegetables and fruit may also be offered, for example carrots, red beets or mangolds.

    Tables of Composition and Nutritional Value of Feed Materials

    Source: Wageningen Academic Press
    This book the result of a cooperation between the INRA (Institut Scientifique de Recherche Agronomique) and the Association Française de Zootechnie (AFZ).

    A Note on the Activity Cycle of Captive White-Fronted Lemurs

    Source: S.Y. Traber, A.E. Müller, Folia Primatologica, Vol. 77, No. 1-2, 2006

    Hematocrit and blood chemistry values in hornbills

    Source: A. Villegas, et al, Zoo Biology, Volume 25, Issue 1, Pages 1-9

    Female Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) during Winter

    Source: P.S. Barboza and K.L. Parker, Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, volume 79 (2006), pages 628–644
    They studied bred and unbred female reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) during 12 wk of winter when ambient temperatures were low and nitrogen (N) demand for fetal growth is highest in pregnant females.

    Locomotion and foraging strategy in foot-propelled and wing-propelled shallow-diving seabirds

    Source: A. Kato et al, Marine ecology. Progress series, 2006, vol. 308, pp. 293-301
    Buoyancy is a major determinant of locomotory cost in diving animals. As seabirds have a large amount of air in their feathers and respiratory system, they should work hard against buoyancy to descend in the water column.

    Body mass and composition responses to short-term low energy intake are seasonally dependent in Steller sea lions

    Source: S. Kumagai, D.A. S. Rosen and A.W. Trites, Journal of Comparative Physiology B: Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology, Volume 176, Number 6, 2006

    Effect of male number and clan cohesion on feeding success in hamadryas baboons

    Source: F. Colmenares, M.M. Esteban , F. Zaragoza, American Journal of Primatology , Volume 68, Issue 1, 2005
    In the multilevel societies of hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas), adult males can be attached to single one-male units (OMUs) or to clans containing several such OMUs.

    Venomous snakes

    Source: NRC Handelsblad
    How come venomous snakes are not bothered by their own poison? Scientists of Northern Colorado University have discovered the underlying mechanism.

    Chocolate poisoning

    Source: Dierenkliniek Tiel, Journal of Wildlife Diseases 37(2), 2001, pp. 362-365
    It is no news that some people love chocolate, but not everyone is aware of the fact that it can be toxic for animals. It has been determined that dogs, parrots and pigs can be poisoned by eating cocoa products.

    Elephants from Bronx Zoo observe themselves in the mirror

    Source: HLN (dpa)
    Elephants are capable of recognizing themselves in a mirror. Up till now, only humans, primates, and dolphins have been known to recognize their reflection.

    Books

    Source: Wageningen Academic Press
    South American Alpacas
    South American alpacas are increasingly popular as pets. Due to their high adaptability, the animals are kept worldwide.

    Review wild bird ban

    Source: Animal protection and EFSA
    The panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has declared that importing birds which are caught in the wild causes problems for their welfare.

    New deals in Dutch animal food chain

    Source: LNV
    In recent years, the animal food chain has taken steps to establish the quality of animal feed, after several incidents had occurred.

    Changes in Llama Milk Composition During Lactation

    Source: A. Riek and M. Gerken, 2006, J. Dairy Sci. 89:3484-3493
    Milk samples were collected weekly from 10 llamas (Lama glama) during the first 27 week after parturition under controlled stable conditions.

    Diet influences life span in parrots (Psittaciformes)

    Source: Jason Munshi-South, Gerald S. Wilkinson, 2006, The Auk pp. 108–118
    Evolutionary hypotheses regarding longevity predict that life span should increase as extrinsic mortality rates decrease.

    Dietary constraints upon reproduction in an obligate pollen- and nectar-feeding marsupial

    Source: R. D. Wooller, K. C. Richardson and G. O. Bradley, Journal of Zoology (1999), 248: 279-287
    The tiny honey possum, Tarsipes rostratus, is the only marsupial that feeds solely upon nectar and pollen. Its daily energy expenditure is reduced by occasional short-term deep torpor but its overall nitrogen needs appear to be what would be predicted for its size (7–12 g).

    Characterisation and quantification of the microbial populations of the rumen

    Source: J.L. Firkins and Z. Yu, The Ohio State University, Department of Animal Sciences
    Already more than 3000 bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences of rumen origin have been archived in public databases. Molecular-based approaches have been adapted more recently to protozoa and archaea, which also appear to be more diverse than once thought.

    Goldfish bowls destroyed in garden centre

    Source: PVH
    The foundation for the protection of fish is thanking garden centre GroenRijk for their initiative to stop selling goldfish bowls, as it is not a good housing for fish.
    In the presence of the animal protection society, GroenRijk smashed the last goldfish bowl to pieces in front of their store.

    Feeding Sugar gliders

    Source: Belangenvereniging Sugargliders Nederland
    Sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) have become extremely popular in the United States in a very short time. Now they also are expecting to do the same in the Netherlands.
    In captivity it is hard to give them their natural diet.

    WAZA and Migratory Species Convention conclude partnership agreement

    Bron: WAZA
    De WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and CMS (The Convention on Migratory Species) have signed a formal partnership agreement.

    Books

    Bron: blackwellpublishing.com
    Manual of Parrot Behaviour
    Psittacines are maintained in captivity as pets, in the home, as breeding birds in aviculture, in zoos, and in conservation projects. Because of their intelligence, playfulness, and ability in mimicry, psittacines are the most widely kept companion birds.

    Cattle ought to be fed more often

    Source: G. van Maanen, WUR
    The Dutch cattle feed is very balanced. Still, prof. W. Hendriks, professor of animal feed, is seeing some options for further improvement. Cattle farmers, for example, should feed their calves more often.

    Behavioral profiles of the captive juvenile whooping crane as an indicator of post-release survival

    Source: M.D. Kreger, et al, Zoo Biology, 0:1-14, 2005
    Predation by bobcats (Lynx rufus) is the major cause of mortality in captive-reared whooping cranes (Grus americana) released into the wild to establish a nonmigratory flock in Florida.

    Energy supply of the okapi in captivity

    Source: J. Hummel, et al, Zoo Biology, 0:1-14, 2006
    Intake and digestion trials
    Problems related to energy-provision and low forage intake have been reported for the okapi and other browsers like the giraffe, particularly during winter.

    Husbandry and breeding of the Dibbler

    Source: C. Lambert, H. Mills, International Zoo Yearbook, Vol. 40, No. 1, 2006
    Husbandry and breeding of the Dibbler Parantechinus apicalis at Perth Zoo
    The Dibbler Parantechinus apicalis is a small, carnivorous marsupial. Between 1996 and 1998 a recovery plan was initiated because the species is Endangered in its natural range.

    Nutritional ecology of elephants

    Source: K.D. Rode, Journal of Tropical Ecology, 2006, 22: 441-449
    and its relationship with crop-raiding behaviour
    This study investigated the nutritional ecology of forest elephants in Kibale National Park, Uganda relative to crop-raiding behaviour, and examined nutritional differences between crops and food consumed by wild elephants.

    Rotterdam Zoo breeds own corals

    Source: NOS/AD
    A team of biologists from Rotterdam Zoo, the Netherlands and American researches have succeeded to multiply threatened coral. They have discovered how to make corals breed on a large scale.
    World wide, coral reefs suffer from pollution, fishing and climate changes.

    Herbivorous lizards

    Source, M. van Oijen, EZNC
    Eating vegetable food is relatively rare for lizards. Strictly speaking, less than one percent of the lizards can be called herbivorous.

    Books

    Source: vonl.com
    Rapid Methods for Biological and Chemical Contaminants in Food and Feed
    A book which offers an overview of methods to analyse biological and chemical contaminants in food and animal feed.

    Views on future environmental improvement

    Source: Second nature, Environmental enrichment for captive animals. D.J. Sheperdson, et al, 1998
    Much progress has been made during the past fifty years concerning environmental improvement. However,

    Digestibility and roughage intake in a group of captive giraffes

    Source: S. Schmucker, A. Hörhager, L. Kolter, Zoologischer Garten Köln, Germany
    Adequate feeding and nutrition of giraffes is a constant topic of debate and discussion in zoo community.

    Using mortality and reproduction data to evaluate captive penguin nutrition

    Source: R. Pizzi, M. Gibbons, A.M. Wood, G. Mackenzie, M.C. Garcia-Rueda, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, UK
    While evaluating diets fed to penguins in captivity with that consumed by wild birds would be ideal, there is a paucity of much relevant knowledge.

    Lipid storage in marine zooplankton

    Source: Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol. 307, 2006, R.F. Lee, W. Hagen, G. Kattner
    Zooplankton storage lipids play an important role during reproduction, food scarcity, ontogeny and diapause, as shown by studies in various oceanic regions.

    Effects of artificial foods on the blood chemistry of the Australian magpie

    Source: Austral Ecology, Volume 31, 2006, G. Ishigame, G. S. Baxter and A. T. Lisle
    Bird feeding on residential property is a popular activity throughout Western countries.

    Silvery Marmoset born in Wissel Zoo

    Source: Dierenpark Wissel
    Among the Silvery Marmoset (Callithrix argentata) in Wissel Zoo (Epe, the Netherlands) a twin is born. Wissel is the only zoo in The Netherlands with this type of dwarf ape.

    The feed of prairie dogs

    Source: EZNC
    The natural diet of prairie dogs consists mainly of grasses. In the wild, prairie dogs do not eat fatty and are therefore prone to obesity in captivity.

    Books

    Source: cplbookshop.com
    Dietary fibre: bio-active carbohydrates for food and feed
    Interest in research and development of dietary fibre and related carbohydrates has increased during the last years.

    Red squirrel sensitive to gray squirrel virus

    Source: nu.nl
    The native red squirrel, which is almost entirely ousted in Great Britain by the American gray variant, is suffering severely of a virus carried by the gray variant.

    Prehistorical mystery solved

    Source: Planet
    British scientists have solved the mystery why prehistorical flying reptiles had crests.

    American organisation donates on the condition that China stop killing dogs

    Source: HLN.be
    An American organisation for the protection of animals is prepared to donate a hundred thousand dollar (77.750 euro) to the Chinese government to vaccinate dogs against rabies.

    Training

    Bron: Second Nature, environmental enrichment for captive animals, D.J. Shepherdson, J.D. Mellen en M. Hutchins
    Dieren die dagelijks te maken hebben met stress en het daaruit voortkomende stereotiep gedrag, kunnen worden getraind om beter met hun omgeving en omgevingsverrijking om te gaan.

    Nutritional management of Great grey shrikes

    Source: H. Marqués, A. Porté, A. Vives, N. Torrent and D. Sánchez, Conzoolting Wildlife Management, Associació Trenca, Centre de Fauna de Vallcalent, Lleida, Spain, 2005
    The situation of the Lesser grey shrike (Lanius minor) in the Iberian Peninsula during the last few years suggests that conservation strategies should be taken.

    Composition and Nutritional Characteristics of Fungi Consumed by Callimico goeldii in Pando, Bolivia

    Source: International Journal of Primatology, Volume 27, 323 – 346, Number 1, 2006
    Though ≥22 species of Primates consume fungi, most do so at low rates, comprising <5% of their feeding time.

    Prehistorisch mysterie opgelost

    Bron: Planet
    Britse wetenschappers hebben het mysterie opgelost waarom prehistorische vliegende reptielen een kam op hun hoofd hadden.

    Assessment of body condition in Asian elephants

    Source: Zoo Biol 25:187-200, 2006, C. Wemmer, V. Krishnamurthy, S. Shrestha, L.A. Hayek, Myo Thant, K.A. Nanjappa
    A method of assessing body condition of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) is presented. The method uses visual assessment to assign numerical scores to six different regions of the body.

    Factors affecting herbivory

    Source: Braz. arch. biol. technol. vol.49 no.3 Curitiba May 2006
    Factors affecting herbivory of Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae) on the eggplant (Solanum melongena)

    Total Plasma Protein and Renesting by Greater Sage-Grouse

    Source: Journal of Wildlife Management, Article: pp. 472–478 M.A. Gregg, M.R. Dunbar, J.A. Crawford, M.D. Pope
    Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population declines have been attributed to reduced productivity. Although renesting by sage-grouse may contribute significantly to...

    How a mega-grazer copes with the dry season

    Source: Functional Ecology (2006) 20, 376 –384 A.M. Shrader, N. Owen-Smith and J.O. Ogutu
    Few studies have investigated how free-ranging wild herbivores adjust their food intake rate and nutrient gains during the dry season. Our study focused on...

    WAZA launches Virtual Zoo

    Source: WAZA
    The website of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has expanded by launching a virtual zoo. This zoo offers a collection of 266 animal species, which can be found all over the world. The animals are listed according to ...

    European embargo ostriches South Africa

    Source: Nu.nl
    The entire EU has imposed an embargo on living ostriches, their eggs and meat from the district Mosselbaai and Riversdale. The embargo follows ...

    Red tail parrots threatened with extinction

    Source: HLN.be
    The African grey red tail parrot is threatened with extinction, according to the Nature Conservancy Germany (NABU). The cause is ...

    Feeding of Rabbits

    Source: Feeding and nutrition of rabbits, Cheeke
    Research on feeding rabbits is rather limited in relation to that of other domesticated animals. Still, something or other is known. Suitable rabbit feed contains ...

    Feeding rainbow fishes

    Source: EZNC 26: Regenboogvissen. Aanschaf, voeding, verzorging en gedrag, Gunther Schmida
    Being omnivores, rainbow fishes eat both animal and plant food products. In nature they eat everything they can swallow. In the wild 40% of the feed consists of...

    Escape prairie dogs Emmen Zoo

    The prairie dogs, which have obtained a new residence in Emmen on June 22nd, do not seem to be too familiar with their new surroundings yet. They even manage to...

    Total Plasma Protein and Renesting by Greater Sage-Grouse

    Source: Journal of Wildlife Management, Article: pp. 472–478 M.A. Gregg, M.R. Dunbar, J.A. Crawford, M.D. Pope
    Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population declines have been attributed to reduced productivity. Although renesting by sage-grouse may contribute significantly to...

    How a mega-grazer copes with the dry season

    Source: Functional Ecology (2006) 20, 376 –384 A.M. Shrader, N. Owen-Smith and J.O. Ogutu
    Few studies have investigated how free-ranging wild herbivores adjust their food intake rate and nutrient gains during the dry season. Our study focused on...

    Localised defecation sites:

    Source: A. Apio, M. Plath and T. Wronski Journal of Ethology, Volume 24, Number 1, 2006
    A tactic to avoid re-infection by gastro-intestinal tract parasites in bushbuck, Tragelaphus scriptus?

    Forage fibre digestion

    Source: A.J. Munn and T.J. Dawson, Journal of Experimental Biology 209, 1535-1547 (2006)
    Rates of feed passage and gut fill in juvenile and adult red kangaroos Macropus rufus Desmarest: why body size matters.

    Orang-utans online

    Source: B. Mos, Telegraaf
    A group of Orang-utans in the Apenheul (Apeldoorn, The Netherlands) will make contact with wild congeners on Borneo.

    The vitamin C status of camels

    Source: H.E.H.M. Elkhidir, Vitamin C status in Sudanese camels, 2002
    Research has shown that the concentration of ascorbic acid in camels is determined by several factors.

    Essential polyunsaturated fatty acids

    Source: Keum-Hee Yeom, 2002, Essential-fatty acid supply of goats
    Research shows that essential fatty acids cannot be produced by animals themselves but must be present in the feed.

    Behavioural research

    Source: C. Litchfield, Psychology Dept. Univ. of Adelaide, Desining, carrying out and assessing the effectiviness of behavioural enrichment
    Behavioural research is conducted to get a better understanding of animals and their natural behaviour, for example to find out more about the difference in behaviour between animals living in captivity and those that live in the wild.

    Recent changes in body weight and wing length among passerine birds

    Source: Y.Yom-Tov, S. Yom-Tov, J. Wright, C.J.R. Thorne and R. Du Feu, Oikos Volume 112 Page 91, 2006
    Would global warming cause recent decreases in body weight and increases in wing length in 14 species of passerine birds at two localities in England?

    Avian Medicine

    Bron: Elsevier
    Avian Medicine is een naslagwerk op het gebied van vogelgezondheid. Geschreven door verschillende auteurs, met praktische tips van vogel experts over de hele wereld.

    The effect of diet on the mammalian gut flora and its metabolic activities

    Source: I.R. Rowland, A.K. Mallett, A. Wise, Crit Rev Toxicol. 1985;16(1):31-103

    Recent changes in body weight and wing length among passerine birds

    Source: Y.Yom-Tov, S. Yom-Tov, J. Wright, C.J.R. Thorne and R. Du Feu, Oikos Volume 112 Page 91, 2006
    Would global warming cause recent decreases in body weight and increases in wing length in 14 species of passerine birds at two localities in England?
    Rainfall did explain the unusual increase in blackbird body weight, possibly as a result of improving food availability.

    Coprophagy in a cave-adapted salamander; the importance of bat guano

    Source: D.B. Fenolio, G.O. Graening, B.A. Collier, J.F. Stout, Proc.- R. Soc. Lond., Biol. Sci., 2006, vol. 273, no1585, pp. 439-443
    During a two year population ecology study in a cave environment, 15 Eurycea spelaea were observed ingesting bat guano.

    The role of taste in food selection by African apes

    Source: M.J. Remis, Primates, Volume 47, Number 1, January 2006, Pages: 56- 4
    Ripe fruit eating shapes the behavior of most of the apes.

    New manager for EAZA executive office

    Source: EAZA
    Harry Schram is the successor of Koen Brouwer as manager of the EAZA executive office.
    Koen Brouwer will start October 1 as manager of Bioparc Zoo in Valencia, Spain.

    Gene bank for authentic trees and bushes

    Source: DN
    The Dutch Forestry Commission has been able to retrieve almost 60 out of the 114 varieties of old indigenous trees and bushes, has reproduced them and has planted them in the nature reserve Roggebotzand in Flevoland.

    Feeding Elephants

    Source: H. Slager en M van Rijn, Ruwe Celstofvertering bij de Aziatische Olifant
    The gastrointestinal tract of elephants greatly resembles that of horses. The elephant mainly uses its caecum and colon for fermentation.

    Special recommendations for strict carnivores

    Source: Burger, 1995; Lewis, 1989; Robbins, 1993
    Cats have several remarkable needs when food is concerned. Their metabolism is set to a diet consisting of animal food products only. A cat is therefore not capable of obtaining all the nutrients they need from vegetable food.

    Environmental improvement

    Source: D.J. Shepherdson, Second Nature, 1998
    To optimise the psychological and hereby also the physical well-being of animals, environmental improvement is made use of.

    Summer eczema

    Source: Staart- en maneneczeem bij het paard, een literatuurstudie naar de oorzaak en de behandeling (2004), PVE / WUR
    Summer eczema is a skin allergy in horses, which occurs in the Netherlands especially in the summer season.

    Gut length and mass in herbivorous and carnivorous prickleback fishes

    Source: D.P. German and M.H. Horn, Marine Biology, Volume 148, Number 5, 2006
    Relative gut length, Zihler's index, and relative gut mass were measured in four species of prickleback fishes and the effects of ontogeny, diet, and phylogeny on these gut dimensions were determined.

    Seasonal, sexual and anatomical variability in the adipose tissue of polar bears

    Source: G.W. Thiemann, S.J. Iverson & I. Stirling, Journal of Zoology, volume 269, 2006
    In summer, the sea ice of Hudson Bay melts completely and the entire polar bear population is forced to fast on land for ca. 4 months.

    Ontogenetic Diet Shifts and Digestive Constraints in the Omnivorous Freshwater Turtle

    Source: S.S. Bouchard and K.A. Bjorndal, Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, volume 79 (2006), p. 150–158
    Many reptiles undergo an ontogenetic diet shift from carnivory to herbivory.

    Carbohydrate, fat, and protein composition of whole produce

    Source: D.A. Schmidt, M.S. Kerley, J.H. Porter, J.L. Dempsey, Zoo Biology Volume 24, Issue 4, P. 359-373
    Previously reported values for produce items often reflect only the human edible portion although animals generally eat the entire item.

    Breeding of sole to become a new economic sector in Zeeland, the Netherlands

    Source: Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant
    Soon soles from breeding ponds will come on land. An example company lying on the landside of the dike is to provide knowledge and experience concerning the breeding of soles.

    Feeding European mink

    Source: EZNC
    The European mink (Mustela lutreola) is a semi aquatic carnivore, hunting mainly on amphibians and fish. The animals hardly ever go further than 150 meters from the water.

    Stick insects

    Source: EZNC
    Stick insects eat fresh leaves. Some species eat only one type of plant, while other species eat a great diversity of plants. Most types of stick insects eat bramble leaves.

    Comparative Avian Nutrition

    Bron: barnesandnoble.com
    Een aanrader op het gebied van vogelvoeding is het boek van K. Klasing, (Department of Avian Sciences, University of California)

    Seed Swallowing in Tamarins

    Source: P. A. Garber and U. Kitron, International Journal of Primatology, Volume 18, Number 4, 1997
    Nonhuman primates represent a major component of the frugivore biomass in several rain-forest communities.
    Although there is considerable evidence that prosimians, monkeys, and apes serve as dispersal agents for many tropical trees,

    Implantation and development of the gut flora in the newborn animal

    Source: R. Ducluzeau, Ann Rech Vet. 1983;14(4):354-9
    The newborn mammal, germfree in the mother's uterus, steps in complex microbial environment as soon as born. Bacterial development in the digestive cavities of the newborn animal, from the environmental bacteria, occurs very quickly.

    Importance of the wasting syndrome complex in captive moose (Alces alces)

    Source: Marcus Clauss, Ellen Kienzle and Henning Wiesner, Zoo Biology, 2002, Volume 21, Issue 5, Pages 499 – 506
    We conducted a survey on the causes of moose (Alces alces) deaths at 19 European moose facilities.

    Three–way interactions between Acacia, large mammalian herbivores and bruchid beetles

    Source: K. Or and D. Ward, African Journal of Ecology Volume 41 Issue 3, Page 257, 2003
    Large mammalian herbivores are both predators and dispersers of Acacia seeds.

    Managing Our Wildlife Resources

    Bron: chipsbooks.com
    Managementtechnieken die op ieder niveau gebruikt kunnen worden, van regionaal tot internationaal; dat is de inhoud van dit boek.
    Nieuw in de vierde editie is

    Optimizing diets in Zodiac Zoos

    Drs. ing. Esmeralda Dols, Zodiac Zoos, The Netherlands
    Zodiac Zoos want to increase the quality within the organisation. Nutrition is one of the aspects that has to be professionalize.

    Pasture birds protected, foxes outlawed

    Source: eerstekamer.nl
    In The Netherlands, the First Chamber has approved a modification of the laws for nature and wildlife, allowing foxes to be shot.

    Equine nutrition

    Source: W.E. Tiegs and I.H. Burger, Nutrition of horses/W.L. Jansen
    Compared to the digestion system of other ruminants, horses have greater difficulty in digesting products with a large amount of cellulose, like forage.

    Healthy parrots

    Source: How to Recognize, Treat, and Prevent Nutritional Diseases in Parrots
    A lot of parrots are fed with sun flower seeds and peanuts. Despite the fact that parrots are very fond of them, there are some disadvantages. This diet is not healthy at all.

    Gastro-Intestinal transit time in South American deer

    Source: L. Domingues de Oliveira, J.M. Barbanti Duarte, Zoo Biology Volume 25, Issue 1, Pages 47 - 57
    The study of diet and physiological peculiarities of the digestive system of neotropical deer is not well known and the literature shows inconsistencies.

    Locomotion, Posture, and Feeding Behavior of Kinkajous, Coatis, and Raccoons

    Source: D. McClearn, Journal of Mammalogy, Vol. 73, No. 2 (May, 1992) , pp. 245-261
    Many arboreal mammals use their forelimbs and forepaws for food handling and for locomotion.
    To investigate the relations between these major categories of limb use,

    Gastro-Intestinal transit time in South American deer

    Source: L. Domingues de Oliveira, J.M. Barbanti Duarte, Zoo Biology Volume 25, Issue 1, Pages 47 - 57
    The study of diet and physiological peculiarities of the digestive system of neotropical deer is not well known and the literature shows inconsistencies.

    Copper Resistance of Tilapia Larvae

    Source: Su-Mei Wu, Am-Ni Deng, Yi-Ying Chou, and Leang-Shin Wu, Zoological Studies 44(3): 373-381 (2005)
    In this study, they attempted to evaluate the effects of exogenous steroids on copper resistance and the relationship among steroids, Na+/K+-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Na+-K+ ATPase), and ionic homeostasis after challenge with copper toxicity in tilapia larvae (Oreochromis mossambicus).

    Locomotion, Posture, and Feeding Behavior of Kinkajous, Coatis, and Raccoons

    Source: D. McClearn, Journal of Mammalogy, Vol. 73, No. 2 (May, 1992) , pp. 245-261
    Many arboreal mammals use their forelimbs and forepaws for food handling and for locomotion.

    Birthday Party

    Source: hln/dn
    American pets already had an own health insurance, an own therapist, and fancy clothing. Now pet birthday parties seem to become more and more popular.

    New minister Agriculture Japan

    Source: LNV
    The Japanese minister Soichi Nakagawa has been elected minister of Agriculture during the far-reaching cabinet changes.

    WNF Ranger campaign: Save the shark…

    Source: Dierennieuws
    On March the 5th The WNF started the WNF Ranger campaign “Save the shark…from the net!” This campaign was part of the WNF awareness campaign “Choose a living sea”, which began at the same time.

    Food and Health

    Source: (Elliot, Edward, Eason, NRC, Robbins, Dierauf en Guland, Klasing, Crissy, mcGill)
    Vitamin D3 (also known as cholecalciferol) is a vitamin that dissolves in fat. Using ultraviolet light (UV), the skin makes vitamin D3 from cholesterol.

    Keeping Barbels busy

    Source: C.P. Steinle
    Barbels are known for two characteristics: chasing other fish and eating plants.

    Investigations in pet birds (Agapornis spp.) fed different vitamin K3 contents in the diet

    Source: Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition Volume 89 Page 222 - April/June 2005
    In the past many discussions about possible toxic effects of vitamin K3 fed to pet birds arose frequently, and were published also in magazines for pet bird fanciers, in the internet as well as in veterinary journals.

    Apparent digestibility of macro-nutrients in captive polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

    Source: W.L. Jansen, J. Bos, E.J.B. Veldhuis Kroeze, A. Wellen and A.C. Beynen
    The diet of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) under captive conditions differs from that in the wild. The wild polar bear feeds itself predominantly on the ringed seal (Phoca hispida), but they may also eat birds, grasses, moss, and berries (Russel 1975; Knutsen 1978).

    Diet selection and foraging ecology in Macropodidae (Kangaroos)

    Source: U. Ganslosser and D.B. Croft, University of Erlangen, University of New South Wales, Sidney.
    Macropodoids posses morpho-physiological as well as ecological adaptations similar to herbivorous placentals e.g. ungulates.

    Regulation of food intake

    Source: T. Lutz, Institute of Veterinary Physiology, University of Zuerich
    Adult individuals are usually characterized by a balance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Food intake is controlled by various feed back loops.

    Discovery virgin ecosystem

    Source: nu.nl
    In the mountainous rainforests of New Guinea (Indonesia), scientists have recently discovered hundreds of new animals and plants.

    Coeliac Disease in Callitrichids

    Source: veldmuisdesign.nl; zoo nutrition news, special issue 3
    Not only humans can be allergic to gluten; marmosets and callitrichids (Callitrichidae) too.

    Energy demands reptiles

    Source: EZNC
    The amount of energy that reptiles need depends greatly on the ambient environment and the animal’s activity level.

    Disinfectant mats at airports

    Source: LNV
    The Dutch ministry of LNV has recently dissuaded the Second Chamber from placing disinfectant mats at airports.

    Weight Problem Cats and Dogs

    Source: Telegraaf
    Almost half of all Dutch pets is overweight. This is the result of a research conducted by Hill's, a company for animal feed, among dozens of vets who treat these animals.

    Animal welfare action plan 2006-2010

    Source: ANP
    During the next five years the European Committee wants to improve the welfare of animals by upgrading the minimum standard for their wellbeing and protection and by looking for alternatives to animal testing.

    The digestive tract and life history of small mammals

    Bron: P. Langer, Mammal Review
    The type of food, differentiation of the large intestine and stomach, and methane production, as well as life history data, are considered in Insectivora, Rodentia and Lagomorpha.

    Foraging patterns of capybaras in a seasonally flooded savanna of Venezuela

    Bron: G. R. Barreto en E. A. Herrera, Journal of Tropical Ecology
    The foraging behaviour of capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) was assessed in relation to habitat and season in a flooded savanna of Venezuela from February (dry season) 1993 to June (rainy season) 1994.

    Ostrich Eggs

    Source: I. van Creij, 1991
    Ostriches have the largest eggs in the world. Though in comparison to their weight the eggs are still small.

    New DNA Study on the Origin of Cats

    Source: Planet.nl
    A team of the American National Cancer Institute in Maryland has used the Cat Genome Project to create a cat family tree. To do this, the DNA of domestic cats as well as that of all 36 wild cat species is carefully analysed.

    Insects in the feed

    Source: O.T. Oftedal and M.E. Allen
    Small tasty bites are often used to stimulate the forage behaviour of zoo animals. Apart from that they form an extra variation of diet. Grasshoppers or mealworms are often a part of the daily feed.

    Raincoast Buys Hunting Rights

    Source: DN redactie
    The Raincoast Conservation Society has bought the hunting rights of a large piece of land on the Canadian west coast in order to protect pumas, grizzly bears, and wolves.

    No Promotion Activities King Kong

    Source: DN redactie
    Apenheul, the zoo of Apeldoorn, does not wish to get involved in promotion activities for the movie King Kong. Apenheul was approached by several parties, among others, the distributor of the third screen version. The zoo denied all requests.

    Bilateral Trade Agreement between the United States and Taiwan little chance as yet

    Source: LBA actualiteiten
    There is as yet little chance of a bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan.

    Feeding Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) in captivity

    Source: K. Leus, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Belgium.
    This paper reviews the available information on stomach anatomy, digestion, foraging behaviour and diet of wild and captive babirusa, in order to formulate a recommended diet for babirusa in zoological gardens.

    White monkey syndrome in infant baboons (Papio species)

    Source: P.A. Frost et al, Journal of Medical Primatology Vol. 33, issue 4, page 197, August 2004
    Over 23 months, zinc toxicosis was diagnosed in 35 baboons aged 5–12 months in one galvanized metal and concrete cage complex with conditions that led to excessive exposure to environmental zinc.

    Screening of yeasts as probiotic based on capacities to colonize the gastrointestinal tract and to protect against enteropathogen challenge in mice

    Source: The Journal of general and applied microbiology, 2005 Apr;51(2):83-92.
    Probiotics are defined as viable microorganisms that exhibit a beneficial effect on the host's health when they are ingested. Two important criteria are used for selection of probiotic microorganisms: they must be able to survive in the gastrointestinal environment and to present at least one beneficial function (colonization resistance, immunomodulation or nutritional contribution).

    Killer appetites

    Source: T.M. Williams, J.A. Estes D.F. Doak, A.M. Springer, the Ecology society of America
    KILLER APPETITES: ASSESSING THE ROLE OF PREDATORS IN ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES
    Large body size, carnivory, and endothermic costs lead to exceptionally high caloric demands in many mammalian predators. The potential impact on prey resources may be marked but is difficult to demonstrate because of the mobility, sparseness, and cryptic nature of these animals.

    Food hardness and feeding behaviour in old world fruit bats (pteropodidae)

    Source: E.R. Dumont, and R. O'Neal, Journal of Mammalogy Volume 85 (2004) Article: pp. 8–14
    Old World fruit bats (family Pteropodidae) are common throughout the Paleotropics, where they play an important ecological role as seed dispersers and pollinators. Although many regions host diverse assemblages of fruit bats, mechanisms of resource partitioning are only beginning to be documented.

    Serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites

    S. Crissey, K. Ange, K. et al. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A 128 (2001) 155-165
    Serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites, vitamins A and E, and carotenoids in six canid and four ursid species at four zoos

    Nutritional status for six captive canid species ns34 and four captive ursid species ns18 were analyzed. The species analyzed included: African wild dog Lycaon pictus , arctic fox Alopex lagopus , gray wolf Canis lupus , maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus , Mexican wolf Canis lupus baleiyi , red wolf Canis rufus , brown bear Ursus arctos, polar bear Ursus maritimus, spectacled bear Tremarctos ornatus, and sun bear Ursus malayanus.

    Shellshock Campaign

    Source: Dierennieuws/NVD
    The Dutch Society of Zoos (NVD) has raised awareness of the turtle crisis with the Shellshock Campaign. With help of the visitors, zoos have collected a rough 40.000 euros. This money will be used to protect turtles in the wild.

    The Rat; Omnivore or Herbivore

    Source: EZNC
    The diet of rats consists of both vegetable food as well as animal food. Still, they are primarily considered herbivores. There is hardly any small mammal that is truly omnivorous like people are.

    Axolotls

    Bron: EZNC
    De axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is een molsalamander die behoort tot de familie van de axolotls en verwanten.

    Nutrition in Tropical Aquaculture

    Bron: Feed mix vol. 13 no. 4, 2005
    Nutrition in Tropical Aquaculture - Essentials of fish nutrition, feeds, and feeding of tropical aquatic species

    Dit Engelstalige boek is handig bij het beantwoorden van vragen over de voeding van tropische vissen.

    Zoo Labyrinth Boekelo

    Bron: labyrinthderzinnen.nl
    In de buurt van Enschede ligt Zoo Labyrinth Boekelo. Het park behoort tot de groep van Zodiac Zoos. Tot Zodiac Zoos behoort verder Dierenpark Wissel, Zoo Parc Overloon en Aqua Zoo (Friesland).

    Respiration rate of hepatocytes varies with body mass in birds

    Source: P. L. Else, M. D. Brand, N. Turner en A. J. Hulbert
    Hepatocytes were isolated from eight species of birds ranging from 13 g zebra finches to 35 kg emus. This represents a 2800-fold range of body mass (Mb).

    Survey of stereotypic behavior in prosimians

    Source: L. Rybiski Tarou, M. A. Bloomsmith , T. L. Maple , Am. J. Primatol. 65:181-196, 2005.
    Captive animals have been observed to perform a variety of stereotypic behaviors. However, little is known about stereotypic behavior in prosimians. We sent surveys to 96 AZA-accredited institutions to examine stereotypic behavior in these primates. Forty-eight surveys were returned, providing information on 440 individuals of 10 genera.

    Monkey Business

    Bron: Reuters
    De Tsjechische publieke omroep heeft een geheel eigen invulling bedacht voor een realitysoap. Geïnspireerd door Big Brother bedacht de radio- en televisiezender een programma, dat het leven van vier gorilla's in de dierentuin van Praag volgt.

    Optimal nutrition for athletic performance, with emphasis on fat adaptation in dogs and horses

    Kronfeld DS, Ferrante PL, Grandjean D., Department of Animal Science, Virginia University
    Four mathematical approaches are proposed to determine optimal ranges of nutrients for specified purposes. For exercise, the diet must provide optimal mixtures of fuels.

    Apparent Calcium Absorption in Growing Dogs of Two Different Sizes

    Source: B. Dobenecker, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Germany
    The influence of the calcium (Ca) supply on the skeletal health of growing dogs and the ability of dogs to adjust the absorption of this element in cases of over- and undersupply has been investigated by various authors.

    De Rat; omnivoor of herbivoor?

    Bron: EZNC
    Ratten eten een gemixt dieet van zowel plantaardig als dierlijk voedsel en toch zijn ze primair gezien herbivoor. Er zijn bijna geen kleine zoogdieren die echt omnivoor zijn, zoals de mens.

    A smart rat…

    Source: Nu.nl
    For months, a rat managed to outsmart a team of scientists. The rodent was released on a deserted island in New Zealand to discover why it is so difficult to exterminate rats.
    Only after four months were the scientists able to capture the animal again: on a neighboring island!

    The new rage: Date-a-dog!

    Source: Date-a-dog.de
    The newest rage from Germany is called Date-a-dog. Singles can use their dog as an excuse to score a date.

    Minister to defend government's agricultural policy

    Source: LBA Actualiteiten
    In a newspaper article, the Spanish minister of agriculture, Miguel Arias Cañete, has fiercely defended the common agricultural policy of the European Union (EU).

    Actions against bird flu for exotic bird species in Europe

    Source: COM Nederland
    Europe foresees the necessity for zoos and bird parks to vaccinate under strict conditions that are yet to be determined. The animals have to be identified and cannot be traded, as the virus could spread unchecked.

    Policy Unity Agrarian Women

    Source: Agripress
    The Irish minister Coughlan (Agriculture and Food) seriously considers starting a policy unit concerned with matters regarding agrarian women. The policy unit shall be a part of the ministry of Agriculture and Food.

    Hibernation of Tortoises

    EZNC
    Tortoises that hibernate in the wild, may also do this in captivity. For tortoises, hibernation time is the most dangerous time of year. Most fatalities occur during or directly following the hibernation period.

    Poor physical condition, weak health or simply the wrong feed are usually the cause of death.

    Feeding Dwarf Gourami

    EZNC
    The dwarf gourami (Colisa lalia) can be fed mainly dry feed. This may be supplemented with meaty feed, for example frozen feed or freeze-dried feed, and also live feed.

    Histidine nutrition and genotype affect cataract development in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

    O. Breck, E. Bjerkås, P. Campbell, J.D. Rhodes, J. Sanderson and R. Waagbø, Journal of Fish Diseases Volume 28 Issue 6 Page 357 - June 2005
    The aim of the study was to investigate effects of dietary levels of histidine (His) and iron (Fe) on cataract development in two strains of Atlantic salmon monitored through parr-smolt transformation.

    Influence of calcium offered to leopard tortoises

    B. Fledelius, G.W. Jørgensen, L. Brimer,H.E. Jensen. The Veterinary Record, Volume 156, Number 26, June 2005, p. 831-835
    Influence of the calcium content of the diet offered to leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis)
    Twenty-four juvenile leopard tortoises were divided into four groups of six; one group was fed a basic low-calcium feed for six months, and the other three groups were fed the same basic diet supplemented with one, three and nine times the amount of calcium recommended as a supplement to the diet of reptiles.

    Zoo Animal Nutrition Tables and Guidelines

    bron: EZNC
    Het boekje "Zoo Animal Nutrition and Guidelines" is in pocket formaat (11 x 18 cm) bevat informatie over voeding van exotische dieren. In het boekje staan voedingsrichtlijnen en -analyses, gewichten en metabolische waarden van dieren, bloed waarden en aanbevelingen en voedings richtlijnen.

    Behavioral preferences for bamboo

    L. Rybiski Tarou, J. Williams, D.M. Powell, R. Tabet, M. Allen, Zoo Biology Volume 24, Issue 2
    Behavioral preferences for bamboo in a pair of captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
    Giant pandas are members of the order Carnivora. Their diet, however, consists almost entirely of bamboo. Herbivores are under strong pressure to be selective in what they eat because of the low digestibility of plant material.

    What do I feed my Lovebird?

    EZNC
    Lovebirds eat coarse parakeet seeds. The feed can be complemented with egg feed, germ seed, pieces of apple and millet. Lovebirds also need grit. Drinking water should be fresh and clean. To provide calcium, merely hang a hard pique stone in the cage. A piece of sepia will give your lovebird a surplus of calcium as it is too soft.

    Education Award for Emmen Zoo

    source: RTV Drenthe
    In the seventies, Emmen Zoo was the first zoo to hold expositions. This has yielded them international acknowledgement this year: the Education Award of EAZA (European Association or Zoos and Aquaria). Manager Hiddingh received the award (a bronze gorilla) during a conference in Bristol.

    Law to protect pets during an evacuation in America

    source: ANP/DN
    In America, members of parliament proposed a draft law that must help protect pets during large-scale evacuations. Cause was especially the experiences in Louisiana and Texas. The members of parliament want the emergency plans to show how pets will be taken care of when their owners are obliged to evacuate.

    Keeping a Myna as pet

    EZNC
    Mynas need a lot of exercise. In the wild, they live in groups of 5 to 6 birds, though sometimes they may live in swarms of hundred birds or more. They can be found in figs trees that carry fruit. At home you can house a Myna on its own, although it’s better for the Myna to have a congener as company, as it’s a social animal and in need of contact.

    Spain to accept cut in Agricultural Spending

    source: LNV
    Surprisingly, president Zapatero of Spain has informed Premier Blair that Spain may be willing to accept a cut in agricultural aid, on the condition that the money may instead be used for development and research.

    Nutritional status of juvenile Komodo monitors

    J.M. Lemm, M.S. Edwards, T.D. Grant, A.C. Alberts, Zoo Biology Volume 23, Issue 3
    Comparison of growth and nutritional status of juvenile Komodo monitors (Varanus komodoensis) maintained on rodent or poultry-based diets

    Nutrition and growth data were collected on six juvenile Komodo monitors (Varanus komodoensis) over 20 months. The animals were captive-bred from two separate clutches, laid 6 months apart. Three animals were fed a rodent diet, and the other three were fed a poultry-based diet.

    Diet and nutrition in wild mongoose lemurs

    D. J. Curtis, American Journal of Physical Anthropology Volume 124, Issue 3
    Diet and nutrition in wild mongoose lemurs (Eulemur mongoz) and their implications for the evolution of female dominance and small group size in lemurs

    Data collected on the feeding behavior, food intake, and chemical analyses of plant foods were used to document seasonal variation in diet and nutrition in Eulemur mongoz in northwestern Madagascar.

    Nature's Strongholds: The World's Great Wildlife Reserves

    Bron: Princeton University Press
    Paradijsvogels in de wildernis, tijgers in de jungles en pinguïns op bevroren stranden in Antarctica.

    Record onrush agriculture environment administration

    Source: lba actualiteiten
    The Irish minister of Agriculture and Food, Mary Coughlan, has proudly reported a record onrush on the new agriculture environment administration. So far, more than 46,000 farmers subscribed.

    Hippopotamus threatened with extinction

    Source: nu.nl
    Photos from the National Park Virunga in Congo show that there are only around 887 hippopotamuses in the park. According to the World Nature Fund (WNF), there were over 1300 of them only two years ago, while thirty years ago there were over 29,000 animals.

    Webpoll!

    Do you agree with the next statement? "I know exactly how to feed my pet."

    Vote here!

    Popular?

    source: De telegraaf
    Luna or Lady, but also Bo, Spike and Sam: these are some of the most popular dog names of this time. This has become clear from a research that the insurance company for animals (Proteq directly) has done.
    From the results, it has also became clear, that Diesel and Senna are rising in popularity. In total, more than 70,000 cat and dog names were analysed.

    Rare tiger died in South Africa

    source: Nu.nl
    Tiger Hope, who was born in a Chinese zoo, has died. Hope was released into the wild in South Africa to learn how to hunt. The project to protect this species from extinction has undergone a heavy battle.

    Norwegian Minister wants to make concessions in agriculture

    source: Lba actualiteiten
    The Norwegian Minister for Foreign Affairs wants to make concessions during the next negotiation of the World Trade Organisation.

    Giant Panda twins in Adventure World

    In the Japanese zoo, Adventure World, the giant panda Mei Mei has given birth to twins. Unfortunately, one of the cubs died directly after birth. The other cub, a 180 grams weighing female, is healthy. It has not yet been given a name.

    Health characteristics of the grass parakeet.

    EZNC
    A healthy grass parakeet is lively, has a cheeky streak in its eyes and loves to be heard. If it is ill, it will stay on the floor of its cage and sleep or put its head between its set up feathers by day. Warmth can do him well.

    The behaviour of guinea pigs

    EZNC
    Guinea pigs are naturally rather social animals, that live with several congeners in a group. This means they talk continuously with each other and make all kinds of different noises.

    ´Breeding food animals; live food for vivarium animals.´

    source: EAZA
    This book provides easy-to-follow instructions for development of long-term breeding environments for food animals. It describes in detail how...

    Growth of rodents in response to dietary nitrogen

    J.L. Parsons et al. Source: Oikos, 2005
    Neonatal growth and survival of rodents in response to variation in maternal dietary nitrogen: life history strategy vs dietary niche

    Nitrogen (N) enrichment of terrestrial ecosystems dramatically changes ecosystem diversity and structure of plant communities. Research designed to elucidate effects of nitrogen addition on mammalian assemblages is rare.

    Preferences of browse offered to Colobus monkeys

    T.C. Tovar, D. Moore and E. Dierenfeld. Source: Zoo Biology 2005
    Preferences among four species of local browse offered to Colobus guereza kikuyuensis at the Central Park Zoo.

    The objective of this study was to document the browse preferences of five adult Colobus monkeys (one male and four females, fed a nutritionally sound diet) among four local and readily available temperate browse types at the Central Park Zoo.

    Breeding food animals; live food for vivarium animals.

    bron: EAZA
    Dit boek bevat eenvoudig te volgen instructies voor de ontwikkeling van een kweeksysteem voor voedseldieren op lange termijn. In detail wordt beschreven hoe een grote

    Temporal patterns of crop raiding by elephants:

    P.I. Chiyo1, E.P. Cochrane, L. Naughton and G.I. Basuta
    A response to changes in forage quality or crop availability?

    Temporal patterns of crop raiding by elephants were studied for 13 months in 1996/1997 at Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda. To determine the influence of environmental factors on the timing of raiding, we tested for correlations between crop raiding patterns and the quality of natural forage within the forest as well as crop availability beyond park boundaries.

    Life of marsupials

    Een halve eeuw onderzoek heeft uitgewezen dat buideldieren aanpassingen voor bijzondere levenswijzen hebben. Ondanks lange afzonderlijke evolutie is er een buitengewone vergelijking tussen buideldieren en

    Artis has an elephants child!

    ANP
    In Artis, Amsterdam Zoo the first young elephant is born. On Tuesday the second of August, Mother Thong Tai gave life to her first child, a girl.

    Animals are also too thick!

    EZNC
    After taking care of our own weight and that of our children carefully, now our pets are in turn. There has been established, that they become also too thick. Becoming thick is a natural process, which has especially a target in

    Determination of Nutritional Value of Some Legume and Grasses

    Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences
    The aim of the study was to determine the nutritional value of legumes and grasses for productivityof livestock. Vicia sativa, Pisum arvense, Lathrus sativus, Vicia narbonensis, Dactylis glomerata,Chrysopogon gryllus and Festuca ovina were taken as plant materials from field and rangeland Koseilyasvillage Tekirdag, Turkey.

    Nutrition and feed management in the ostrich (Struthio camelus var. domesticus)

    Ross G. COOPER, Jaroslaw O. HORBANCZUK and Noboru FUJIHARA
    The ostrich is an important animal in many livestock industries and in the developing world ostrich production is a valuable source of foreign currency netted from the export of meat and skins. Its successful growth and reproductive performance is dependent upon good nutrition.

    Varanoid lizards of the world

    EAZA
    `Varanoid lizards in the world` is een uitgebreid boek van vrijwel alle belangrijke informatie die bekent is over het monitoren van hagedissen.

    Feeding habits of the Mediterranean green crab

    Fisheries Science, R.Chen, S.Watanabe, M.Yokota
    Feeding habits of an exotic species, the Mediterranean green crab Carcinus aestuarii, in Tokyo Bay, Japan, were studied based on the analysis of stomach contents.

    Infectious respiratory disease in rodents

    G. Goodman, In Practice
    Most of the current knowledge regarding respiratory disease in rodents is based on the management of laboratory rodents. The emphasis is on diagnosis, elimination and prevention of subclinical respiratory disease rather than treatment.

    Birds in Europe; population estimates, trends and conservation status

    EAZA
    Birds in Europe (2004) of BiE2, is de tweede druk over de beschermingsstatus van alle in het wild levende vogels in Europa.

    Books

    Birdlife international
    Varanoid lizards of the world is a comprehensive account of virtually everything important that is known about monitor lizards and their allies.

    The best place for a canary bird

    EZNC
    By looking for the best place for a canary, you might think about a place not too close to the ground. If you chose a cage, put it up somewhere. From this higher position, the bird can see everything and that makes it feel good.

    Rickets in the Berberskink

    EZNC
    Rickets is a disease of the bones, which often appears. Not only Berber skinks, but also other reptiles can suffer from it.

    Feeding quails

    EZNC
    In nature, the quail scratches up gladly in the rice fields after harvesting. Although the birds seek their feed under in the aviary, do not forget also for these birds to put down suitable feed and fresh water.

    Dietary acquisition of photoprotective compounds (mycosporine-like amino acids,carotenoids) and acclimation to ultraviolet radiation in a freshwater copepod

    We experimentally tested the hypothesis that accumulations of dietary compounds such as carotenoids or UV-absorbing mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) protect against natural levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR).

    Feeding in dominant Antarctic copepods—does the morphology of the mandibular gnathobases relate to diet?

    Marine Biology
    This study should clarify the importance of morphology and stability of the mandibular gnathobases for the diet of Antarctic copepod species.

    Hemochromatis in fruit-eating birds

    J. Nijboer, De Harpij
    The function of dietary iron disease problems encountered because of iron storage, and the influence of other dietary components on iron storage is revieuwed. Vitamin C and iron- poor (not more than 50-65 mg iron per kg dry stuff) diets are generally recommended for fruit-eating birds.

    New Blueprint for Zoos and Aquariums’ Conservation

    WAZA
    Zoos and aquariums around the world have a new blueprint for their conservation work with today’s launch of Building a Future for Wildlife – the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy.

    New format of EAZA News

    EAZA
    EAZA News in its new format. The publication of issue 50, a jubilee issue, was the perfect opportunity to introduce a new look and several new sections.

    Temporal patterns of crop raiding by elephants

    Source: Patrick I. Chiyo, Erica P. Cochrane, Lisa Naughton and Gilbert I. Basuta
    Temporal patterns of crop raiding by elephants were studied for 13 months in 1996/1997 at Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda. To determine the influence of environmental factors on the timing of raiding, we tested for correlations between crop raiding patterns and the quality of natural forage within the forest as well as crop availability beyond park boundaries.

    Determinants of macrophyte palatability to the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis

    Source: A. Elger and D. Lemoine,Department of PlantAnimal Interactions, Centre for Limnology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology
    This study aimed to identify the chemical and structural determinants of macrophyte palatability to the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. Eleven macrophyte species were investigated, and one of them (Potamogeton lucens) was collected at four sites, on two different dates in the year, to study palatability determinants at an intra-specific level.

    Livestock Feed Table 2004-2005

    source: CVB
    An edition of the updated Livestock Feed Table 2004-2005 is published this year.

    The 2004 edition differs from the 2003 edition with respect to the following:

    Animals get legal status in France

    The French government will call a new law into existence. This law will give animals a legal status. The present French Middle-class code (Code Civil) is considered as aged in that respect, because animals are labelled as objects.

    Slaughter of Irish cows refused

    source: LNV
    The Irish minister Coughlan of Agriculture and Food let know not to feel for slaughter of cows that have been born before 1996.

    Marine Zoo in Barcelona

    source: LNV
    Barcelona Zoo wants to expand her park with 4.9 ha. from sea won country. The reason for this is not so much an raising of earnings, but to involve citizen more by real nature.

    New web application in Belgium for laboratory results

    source: LNV
    Animals health care Flanders (DGZ) in Belgium has developed a pilot around a new web application last year. Therefore internet and email laboratory results are online available for veterinarians and farmers.

    Learning Dutch

    Due to the Dutch webmaster, you may find some Dutch words in this newsletter.

    Nutrient-Specific Foraging in Invertebrate Predators

    David Mayntz, David Raubenheimer, Mor Salomon, Søren Toft, Stephen J. Simpson,
    Many herbivores and omnivores adjust their food selection behavior to regulate the intake of multiple nutrients.

    Nectarivorous birds and their sugary and watery diet?

    Ella Tsahar, Carlos Martínez del Rio, Zeev Arad, Jeannine P. Joy, and Ido Izhaki, Physiological and Biochemical Zoology
    Nectar-feeding birds have remarkably low nitrogen requirements. These may be due either to adaptation to a low-protein diet or simply to feeding on a fluid diet that minimizes metabolic fecal nitrogen losses.

    Tannin-binding salivary proteins in three captive rhinoceros species

    Clauss M, Gehrke J, Hatt JM, Dierenfeld ES, Flach EJ, Hermes R, Castell J, Streich WJ, Fickel J, Institute of Animal Physiology, Physiological Chemistry and Animal Nutrition
    Tannin-binding salivary proteins (TBSP) are considered to be counter-defences acquired in the course of evolution by animals whose natural forage contains such tannins.

    Resource limitation, predation risk and compensatory growth in a damselfly

    C. Dmitriew and L. Rowe, Department of Zoology, University of Toronto
    Periods of poor nutrition during early development may have negative fitness consequences in subsequent periods of ontogeny. In insects, suppression of growth and developmental rate during the larval stage are likely to affect size and timing of maturity, which in turn may lead to reduced reproductive success or survivorship.

    Hand-raising a dik-dik antelope

    Source: Der Zoologische Garten
    We report the hand-raising of a Phillip's dik-dik at Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation, Qatar.

    Jackal (Canis Aureus) feeding on artificial food made of wheat grains in Thar Desert

    source: Zoos´print
    Jackals live in almost any environment in humid forest country or in dry open plains, or desert. They have been found at height of 3600m in the Hymalayas (Prater, 1980). Through jackals are scavengers, but many times they hunt small animals in pair or in packs (Chhangani, 2000). They are also reported feeding on melon, sugarcane, bare (Prater, 1980)

    Haematological and biochemical parameters of Rocky Mountain goats

    Source: Der Zoologische Garten
    Laboratory specific reference values for 14 haematological and 31 biochemmical parameters of Rocky Mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) kept in the Zoological Garden of Leipzig are offered. There are significant differences in 25 parameters in comparison with the ISIS-values.

    Second breeding centre for Asia's vanishing vultures

    source: Birdlife International
    Work is beginning in West Bengal on a second captive-breeding centre for three Asian species of Gyps vulture, which have declined catastrophically in recent years.

    Hand-raising a dik-dik antelope

    Source: Der Zoologische Garten
    We report the hand-raising of a Phillip's dik-dik at Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation, Qatar.

    Myocardial necrosis in a captive binturong (Arctictis binturong)

    Hollamby S.; Simmons H.; Bell T.; Duncan A.; Stadler C.
    An adult male binturong, Arctictis binturong, which had been anorexic and lethargic for seven days became acutely dyspnoeic and died under anaesthesia. A postmortem examination revealed left ventricular hypertrophy with a thrombus occluding the left ventricular chamber.

    An animal-as-client (AAC) theory for zoo exhibit design

    Daniel B. Nuttall
    The design of zoo exhibits has traditionally focused on the needs of humans. More recently, the needs of animals displayed in zoo exhibits have become a focus. However, there is no theory that describes how designers might consider animal needs, and how these needs might be interpreted in the design process.

    Fourth European Zoo Nutrition Conference

    W.L. Jansen
    This conference provides as a unique opportunity for those interested in zoo animal nutrition. As well as fundamental aspects of nutrition, this conference will be focussed particularly on the practical implications of zoo animal nutrition.