Scientists changed how zoo lions eat. Their wild side came out
Researchers at Adelaide University found that feeding zoo lions whole carcasses on a feast-and-fast schedule encourages natural behaviors. This approach mimics the irregular hunting patterns of wild lions more effectively than standard feeding routines.
Why it matters
Improving animal welfare in captivity through behavioral enrichment helps maintain the physical and psychological health of zoo animals.
A new Australian study suggests that zoo lions behave more like their wild counterparts when they are given whole animal carcasses as part of a feast and fast feeding schedule.
Published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science , the research was conducted by Adelaide University and Monarto Safari Park in South Australia. Scientists studied a group of adult male African lions after animal care staff added whole carcasses every nine days to an existing feeding routine designed around periods of eating and fasting.
Continuous video monitoring over three months showed that the lions spent much more time eating when carcasses were provided, rested for longer afterward, and gradually became more active as the fasting period continued. Together, these patterns more closely resembled the natural feeding cycles seen in wild lions.
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