Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Fish Oil on Nutrient Utilization, Haematology and Serum Metabolites of Captive Indian Leopards (Panthera pardus fusca)

This experiment was conducted to asses the effect of fish oil supplementation on nutrient utilization, haematology and serum metabolites of captive Indian leopards fed solely on buffalo meat on bone (BMB). Nine adult leopards (age 3–18 yrs; average BW 42.5 kg) were randomly distributed into 3 equal groups, in a replicated Latin square design. All the animals were fed normal zoo diet of BMB at 2.5 kg/d/animal for 6-d a week. The basal diets of the animals in three groups were supplemented with either 13 g of tallow (T₁), 6.5 g of tallow and 6.5 g of fish oil (T₂), or 13 g of fish oil (T₃). Intake of nutrients was similar (P>0.05) among the groups. Digestibility of OM, CP and gross energy was higher (P<0.01) in groups T₂ and T₃. Serum concentrations of urea (P<0.001), total protein and globulins were higher and ratio of albumin: globulin was lower (P<0.05) in T₂ and T₃ as compared T₁. However, serum total cholesterol was lower (P<0.05) in T₃, only. Thus, it is concluded that supplementation of fish oil in captive Indian leopards would improve protein digestion and reduce serum cholesterol without affecting diet palatability, nutrient utilization and haematology.