Providing nutritionally complete diets for wild species in captivity requires specialist expertise. Zoo nutritionists work across hundreds of species to develop diets that support health, behavior, and longevity.
Nutrition is foundational to zoo animal welfare — deficiencies cause disease, and dietary enrichment through feeding method variation promotes positive welfare states. Wild animals evolved complex feeding behaviors requiring time, skill, and effort to acquire prey or plant materials; captive diets that provide nutrition without behavioral complexity deny animals a significant source of activity and positive experience. Whole-prey feeding, puzzle feeders, and species-appropriate dietary variety address both nutritional needs and behavioral welfare. Zoo nutrition science has advanced significantly but implementing evidence-based diets across all species in a diverse collection requires sustained specialist investment.