Obese, weak, unhealthy animals

[Jurek7]

Hi,

I just returned from a trip to Africa and went to a local zoo. And started wondering, why elephants, hyenas and lions look so different. And realized - they are unhealthy! Too fat, with thin legs, tummy, no muscles. Like office workers with beer bellies!

I wonder if zoo workers are aware of that, and what can be done to prevent obesity eg. in an elephant?

 

[Meaghan Edwards]

Behavioral enrichment, good exhibit design and proper diet I believe all play a strong role. Some animals seem to pack on more weight than others, even if they are of the same species along with hypothyroidism, etc.

 

[Ann Littlewood]

There's a lot of attention to elephant exercise these days, especially pregnant ones. They would be relatively easy to motivate. I wonder what could be done to get lions up and moving!