The Biology, Husbandry and Conservation Scimitar-horned Oryx ...

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Part 2: Husbandry Guidelines
• Pellets should be fed to lactating females with very young offspring, however, the amount
should be reduced if the calves start scouring (E. Flach pers comm.).
• High protein levels in feed concentrates have been associated with excessive hoof growth
and diarrhoea. The latter has also been reported in animals returned to pasture following
prolonged periods without grazing.
• The occasional case of copper and magnesium deficiency have been reported, but
otherwise mineral imbalances do not appear to be widespread.
See section 15, this volume for further information on nutritional causes of disease.
Summary of Dietary Recommendations for Scimitar-horned Oryx
With no available information on the composition of the natural diet for the scimitar-horned
oryx, current dietary recommendations are based on apparently successful feeding regimes in
EEP institutions and requirements for domestic grazing ruminants:
• Bulk diet should consist of grass hay ad libitum with provision of appropriate feed
concentrates to meet additional nutritional requirements (Oftedal et al., 1996). Quantities
depend on access to pasture and should be adjusted if the animals become overweight.
While some mobilisation of body stores is desirable in winter to duplicate natural
seasonal trends, body condition should be monitored and diet adjusted if necessary.
• Use of browse in moderation may be beneficial, but should not be a major component of
the diet.
• Feeding of fruit and vegetables should not be necessary, but if included in the diet should
be used sparingly.
• Supplementing the diet with additional vitamins and minerals should be in line with the
requirements for domestic livestock. Salt licks should be available at all times.
• Fresh, clean water should be provided at all times.
Hand-rearing Scimitar-horned Oryx Calves
Hand rearing of scimitar-horned oryx calves should only occur in exceptional circumstances
when it is absolutely clear that the calf will not survive without human intervention. Only
seven (out of 22) EEP zoos that replied to the husbandry questionnaire reported that their
institution had experience of hand-rearing oryx calves. Given the limited experience of EEP
institutions, and reports on hand rearing oryx, it is difficult to make precise recommendations,
and the following information should serve only as a guide.
EEP zoos have reported feeding scimitar-horned oryx calves on goat, cow and sheep’s milk.
At Marwell, hand reared calves were originally fed on cow’s milk, but this frequently resulted
in bouts of diarrhoea. As a result, any orphaned or rejected calves are now fed on goat’s milk
which appears to be more suitable for their digestive system. See table 5 for a nutritional
comparison of different milks. Both raw eggs and vitamin powder can be added to the milk,