The change of season that will occur next week requires a modification in the diet of many of the species housed in the Malaga conservation center. The diets are enriched with a greater caloric intake and are complemented by vitamin supplements that help strengthen the animals' defenses.
Part of the daily activity of this team is to know, at all times, what the dietary needs of each of the individuals are and thus establish one guideline or another when preparing their diets.
Nearly 150 different diets and more than a hundred kilos of food every day
The BIOPARC Fuengirola kitchen becomes a key point during these days. In her, The team organizes special menus, large pots in which vegetable broths are prepared that complement a diet with a wide variety of seasonal vegetables and fruits. Served whole, with different cuts or boiled, depending on the needs of each species. All changes are made under a food protocol and international guidelines established in the different conservation programs in which EAZA participates and coordinates.
In the case of lemurs, their diet does not include any type of fruit or vegetables that contain vitamin C, since they tend to accumulate iron and this causes damage to their organs. Sumatran tigers base their diet on chicken or beef. Primates such as gorillas and orangutans consume more than five kilos of vegetables a day.
To the essential diets prepared by the BIOPARC Fuengirola kitchen, is added the vigilance of the caregivers to ensure that the needs of each animal are covered. They are in charge of ensuring that the kitchen dishes reach their diners and that, if they need them, extraordinary needs are covered with enrichments such as, for example, the extra contributions that are made in winter.
An unbalanced diet produces serious diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular pathologies, dental problems, difficulties in reproduction and even malformations during the growth of offspring, cancer or the death of the animal itself.
Food origin
For two years, part of this food has come from surpluses donated by the group El Corte Ingles, giving a second chance to food products that do not meet the parameters for sale to the public, but are in an optimal state for animal feeding.
All the products received are evaluated by the Zoology team, who makes the selection that will be part of the diets that are prepared and enrichments such as, for example, vegetable broths or natural infusions. This action extends the life cycle of food and reduces waste, falling within zero waste practices, a concept with which people and organizations promote sustainable lifestyles to promote environmental conservation.
