Parker Katherine L, Barboza Perry S
Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia V2N 4Z9, Canada.
Zoo Biol. 2013 Mar;32(2):163-71. doi: 10.1002/zoo.21046. Epub 2012 Sep 11.
Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are considered difficult to hand-rear in captivity because they are sensitive to the composition and volume of formulated milks. We used a strict feeding schedule and a commercial milk formula designed specifically for caribou to bottle-feed neonates captured from five wild caribou herds in Alaska. Under a feeding protocol adjusted for age and mass, the growth rates and body mass of 26 hand-reared caribou calves to weaning were similar to those of three maternally nursed caribou. This protocol allows caretakers to hand-rear caribou that are as representative as possible of maternally raised neonates.
北美驯鹿（Rangifer tarandus）被认为在圈养环境中难以人工饲养，因为它们对配方奶的成分和量很敏感。我们采用了严格的喂食时间表，并使用专门为北美驯鹿设计的商业配方奶，对从阿拉斯加五个野生北美驯鹿群捕获的新生幼鹿进行奶瓶喂养。在根据年龄和体重调整的喂食方案下，26头人工饲养的北美驯鹿幼崽到断奶时的生长速度和体重与三头由母鹿哺乳的北美驯鹿相似。该方案使饲养员能够人工饲养尽可能代表由母鹿抚养的新生幼鹿的北美驯鹿。
