ZoosOverweight zebras at Dublin Zoo have been given different types of grass to find them a healthier diet, the festival heard yesterday.
This was just one example of the important role of zoos for both conservation and scientific research, according to experts.
Zebras in captivity can have problems with obesity as the grass they are fed has a higher nutrient value than what they would eat on the African savannah, said Dr Victoria Melfi, from Paignton Zoo Environmental Park.
"They are highly motivated to eat," she said. "Like other grazers, zebras usually eat from when they wake up to when they go to sleep."
The zebras' preference for different types of grass was tested by Stephanie Armstrong, from Trinity College, Dublin, at Dublin Zoo. The animals preferred the coarser more fibrous grasses which are more similar to those selected by wild zebras.
Unusually, it seemed to be the structure of the grass, rather than its nutrient content, that influenced the zebras' preference, said Dr Melfi.
On the basis of this research, the researchers suggest that paddocks are regrown to use more grasses that are typical of the savannah plains.
"Although the visitors like to see a big, plush, green paddock it isn't necessarily the best thing for zebras."
The wider role of science in zoos was also highlighted at the festival.
President of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Edward McAlister emphasised that zoos have changed dramatically since the first modern zoo was opened in Vienna, Austria, in 1752. He said public education, animal welfare, conservation and scientific research were all important roles for zoos in the future.