Abstract
Feeding management for 23 Malayan tapirs (Tapirus indicus) by Japanese zoos was surveyed in order to obtain basic data on their nutritional management. Digestibility of feeds was analyzed in 4 of the 23 tapirs to obtain information on the amount of digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) needed for growth and maintaining body weight. At 10 zoos, 2,302-9,026 g and 201-1,433 g of dry matter and crude protein, respectively, are fed per day. The amounts varied greatly among the zoos. Carbohydrates in the feeds can be classified into 5 groups based on the amounts of starch (sweet potato) and fibrous materials (grasses and other leaves). Digestibilities of crude fat and total fiber (neutral detergent fiber) were low at 25.7% and 27.9%, respectively. There were large variations among the individual tapirs. On the other hand, digestibility of non-fibrous carbohydrates was high at 85.5%, and the variation among individual tapirs was small. Judging by digestibilities of feeds and body weight changes, we concluded that the amount of digestible organic matter intake for a Malayan tapir to maintain or increase its body weight slightly ranges 2,590-3,208 g per day.
