Biggest Loser-Ape Style

How husbandry changes can result in significant weight loss

L. Lurz, Animal Keeper

Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago

Illinois , USA

llurz@lpzoo.org

Weight management can be a challenging component of animal care in a zoological setting. Some species live a more sedentary lifestyle in zoological setting, which can often lead to obesity. Obese animals are often at risk to develop chronic medical conditions including cardiovascular disease and arthritis. Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are no exception; with their complex social structure, dominant animals are even more prone to become overweight.

At Lincoln Park Zoo’s Regenstein Center for African Apes, small changes in our husbandry practices resulted in significant weight losses for some of our most obese individuals. Two of our obese gorillas have lost over thirty pounds each and we were able to ‘trim the waistlines’ of others. Modifications in diet presentation, food distribution and exercise through positive reinforcement training, are all little changes that have made a big difference.