Title
Nutrient composition of selected browses consumed by black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) in the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe
Author(s)
Dierenfeld, ES; duToit, R; Braselton, WE
Published
1995
Publisher
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
Abstract
Moisture, crude and bound protein, cell wall constituents (neutral and acid detergent fiber [NDF and ADF], lignin [Lig]), vitamin E, total ash, macrominerals, and selected trace elements were analyzed in 26 browse species eaten by black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) in the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe. Leaves contained higher levels of water, protein, and ash than did stem fractions of the same plant and lower levels of all cell wall constituents. Browses consumed by black rhinoceros comprised on a dry matter (DM) basis 4-20% available protein, 34-72% NDF, 21-53% ADF, 7-21% Lig, and 3-12% ash. Lig/NDF was 14-32%; Lig/ADF was 18-47%; differences in lignification index between leaves and twigs were not significant. Vitamin E concentrations ranged from 9.6 to 286.7 IU/kg DM and were higher in leaves than in twigs of the same species. Mineral concentrations (DM basis) varied widely: Ca(0.55-4.27%), K (0.28-1.77%), and Mg (0.12-0.65%) appeared present in relative excess, but Na (0.001-0.094%), P (0.06-0.19%), and Zn (2.5-57.4 mu g/g DM) were marginal to low compared with known dietary requirements for domestic herbivores. Cu (3.0-12.2 mu g/g DM), Fe (29.0-215.0 mu g/g DM), and Mn (10.8-269.0 mu g/g DM) levels encompassed ranges known to adequately support livestock and wildlife. Although specific nutrient requirements of rhinoceros are currently unknown, chemical analyses from field samples may provide useful guidelines for dietary management of this species.
Keywords
VITAMIN-E; PLANTS; WILD
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