To more closely simulate the diet of free-ranging elephants, the diet of six (2.4) African elephants (Loxodonta africana) was altered to include more browse and less pelleted complete feed (5% total diet). Dietary proximate compounds, minerals, vitamins A (and carotenoids), D and E, and fatty acids were analyzed on pelleted diet items and forages including hay, grass, and browse. A total of 42 browse species were offered over 1 year with an average total diet inclusion of 5.2% (dry matter basis) per day. Dietary Na and Se were low while Fe and Mn were high compared to published intake levels for elephants. Analyzed nutrients within browse varied widely among seasons and species. Ingredient analyses were used to create predicted elephant nutrient intake for (a) the current diet, (b) a diet excluding pellets, and (c) a diet excluding pellets and providing browse at doubled levels. Formulated diets excluding pellets had lower mineral levels than the current diet and doubled browse did not alter mineral inclusions of concern. This study provides seasonal data on the nutrient levels of Southeastern browse species important for various pachyderm and herbivorous species. Predicted nutrient intake with new diet scenarios does not support the exclusion of pellets in the diets of African elephants without greater browse quantity availability, strict diet management, or additional supplements.

中文翻译：

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非洲象（Loxodonta Africana）饮食具有不同的浏览和颗粒含量的分析

为了更接近地模拟自由放养大象的饮食，六 (2.4) 头非洲象 (Loxodonta Africana) 的饮食被改变为包括更多的浏览和更少的颗粒全饲料（5% 的总饮食）。分析了颗粒状饮食项目和草料（包括干草、草和草料）的膳食近似化合物、矿物质、维生素 A（和类胡萝卜素）、D 和 E 以及脂肪酸。一年内总共提供了 42 种浏览物种，每天平均总饲料含量为 5.2%（干物质基础）。与公布的大象摄入量相比，膳食中钠和硒含量低，而铁和锰含量高。不同季节和物种的浏览中分析的营养成分差异很大。成分分析用于为（a）当前饮食，（b）不包括颗粒的饮食创建预测的大象营养摄入量，(c) 不包括颗粒的饮食并提供双倍的浏览量。不包括颗粒的配方日粮的矿物质含量低于目前的日粮，双倍浏览并没有改变所关注的矿物质含量。这项研究提供了对各种厚皮动物和食草动物很重要的东南部浏览物种营养水平的季节性数据。新饮食方案的预测营养摄入量不支持在没有更大的浏览量可用性、严格的饮食管理或额外补充剂的情况下，将颗粒排除在非洲象的饮食中。本研究提供了对各种厚皮动物和食草动物重要的东南部浏览物种营养水平的季节性数据。新饮食方案的预测营养摄入量不支持在没有更大的浏览量可用性、严格的饮食管理或额外补充剂的情况下，将颗粒排除在非洲象的饮食中。这项研究提供了对各种厚皮动物和食草动物很重要的东南部浏览物种营养水平的季节性数据。新饮食方案的预测营养摄入量不支持在没有更大的浏览量可用性、严格的饮食管理或额外补充剂的情况下，将颗粒排除在非洲象的饮食中。