Afrikaans Diatomaceous Earth - Zoo Animals
Richard Smith, Hallwood Inc., Animal Food Specialties, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Experimental Feeding of Codex Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth to Zoo Animals
A mixture of feed incorporating 2% diatomaceous earth was sent to three zoos for evaluation. John Ball Park of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Brookfield Zoos of Chicago Illinois; and Buffalo Zoo of Buffalo, New York. John Ball and Buffalo Zoos reported that their black bears on the special feed showed a better coat and clearer eyes. The primates fed at the Brookfield Zoo displayed a pronounced improvement in both appearance and behavior. Stool samples taken at all three zoos showed an absence of any internal parasites - adult or egg. Parasites in these animals were present prior to using the diatomaceous earth food mixture.
