Data from: Variation in zoo diets, offerings of leafy browse, and body condition scores in Matschie’s tree kangaroos (Dendrolagus matschiei) and their effects on the composition of the gut microbiome

Recommended zoo diets for the arboreal folivore, the Matschie’s tree
kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei; TKs), were recently found to be much
lower in fiber and higher in starch than wild diet items for this species.
In contrast to wild animals, zoo-housed TKs are ~30-40% higher in body
weight, known to suffer from infections indicating immune dysfunction, and
exhibit various reproductive issues. These problems may have ties to gut
microbiome dysbiosis related to differences in diet between captive and
wild individuals, but to date, the microbiome of TKs has not been
explored. This study aimed to 1) quantify the macronutrient intake of
diets from zoo-housed TKs and compare the intake of over-conditioned
animals to those at ideal body condition, and 2) examine gut microbial
communities for any differences associated with TK macronutrient intake,
leafy browse offerings, or body condition. Diet information and associated
fecal samples (n = 57) for microbial analysis were collected from 31
individuals at 16 facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums (AZA). Diet intake results confirmed suspected extreme
macronutrient differences between zoo diets and food items consumed by
wild individuals, with some zoo animals consuming as many as three to four
times more calories than is currently recommended; these animals also
being those with the highest body weights and condition scores in the
population. The high caloric diets consumed by over-conditioned animals
were driven by elevated protein and starch intake. TKs offered high and
intermediate amounts of leafy browse in their diets exhibited
substantially different fecal microbial communities compared to animals
offered low or no browse. Our results indicate that formulation of diets
for zoo-housed TKs, similar to other folivores, should closely resemble
the macronutrient and caloric values of wild counterparts to encourage
ideal body condition and promote gastrointestinal health.