Exposure of Captive Wild Mammals to Heavy metals Contamination in Jodhpur Zoological Garden, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Study of environmental contamination in the wildlife, free-ranging or those caged in the zoos, is a challenging venture. This is primarily because of difficulty in obtaining samples, which can be at the most opportunistic, from these animals. Feces of wild animals were used as biological indicator of exposure in wild animals caged and exposed to the ambient air pollution of urban habitat. Various metal contents in mammals of Jodhpur (India) zoo were in the range of 72.8±1.36 (Panthera leo) to 22.4±1.97 (Axis axis) ppm d/w. Cadmium was in range between 3.80±0.69 (Panthera leo) to 0.60±0.32 (Macaca mulatta) ppm d/w. Chromium was in rage of 6.91±2.66 (Axis axis) to 2.66±1.08 (Macaca mulatta) ppm d/w. Copper was in range between 19.0±1.17 (Panthera leo) to 7.0±3.51 (Macaca mulatta). Whereas zinc was found in range of 66.20±0.67 (Axis axis) to 10.2±1.33 (Panthera tigris) ppm d/w. Analysis of feed and water along with the soil in cages which is receiving particulate air pollutants indicates that air pollution is the primary cause due to high density of traffic in the area.