Demography of Zoo Animals in Four Zoological Gardens in South-Western Nigeria

Abstract

A study was conducted between October and December 2012 to determine the demography of animals in Zoological gardens in South-western Nigeria, using questionnaires and records of the Zoological gardens. A total of 250 animals were in the four Zoological gardens in the zone with the avians, reptiles and primates constituting 35.20%, 26.00% and 20.80%, respectively. Of these, 53 (21.20%) were males, 64 (25.60%) were females but the sexes of 133 (53.20%) were not documented. The sources of the animals include, purchases 105 (42.00%), donations 82 (32.80%), exchanges with other zoos 20 (8.00%) and breeding in captivity 30 (12.00%) while the sources of 13 (5.20%) could not be ascertained. A total of 108 mortalities (annual mean=36) were recorded in the Zoological gardens during a three-year period which was considered very high. The major causes of mortalities include: transportation stress, 19 (17.59%); old age 13 (12.04%), and drowning 11 (10.01%). The causes of 38 (35.18%) deaths were not known. Regular screening of animals, application of routine prophylactic measures, good nutrition, proper recording of ages and sexes of animals, post-mortem examination to ascertain the causes of death of animals and adoption of strategies towards improving the reproductive capabilities of the animals are recommended to improve the demographic status of the Zoological gardens.

Keywords: Demography, Zoological garden, Mortalities, Captive bred.