DIETETIC AND TOXICOLOGICAL PARAMETERS EVALUATION IN AONYX CINEREUS

Aonyx cinereus is the smallest otter existing, listed as Vulnerable under IUCN red list. Data on diet and nutritional intake of this species in the wild are scarce. Despite this, one of the most important parameters in the management of Aonyx cinereus in captivity, is the development of an appropriate diet program. The diet should meet nutritional needs of animals, guarantee an adequate intake of essential trace elements and be free from non-essential metals that could induce harmful effects. The three subjects included in this study arrived to Maitine Zoo few months ago and are the first specimens hosted in the park. For those reasons, we collected samples of food and faces of otters on weekly basis for 7 weeks, evaluating protein, lipidic and caloric content of the daily food rations of the animals. Moreover, we analysed concentration of trace elements in food and faeces, to define if the diet is balanced and safe and to acquire information about the metabolic processes of clawed otters. This study provides scientific data on Aonyx cinereus nutritional needs, metabolism and possible exposure to detrimental contaminants, giving useful information to implement the welfare and the health status of clawed otters under human care.