From all appearances,the kitchen could be that of any restaurant prepping for a lunch rush. It is not.
Its the animal nutrition kitchen tucked in the back corner of Zoo Atlanta where a team of managers, nutrition technicians, bamboo hunters and other staff work together to prepare meals and snacks for more than 1,300 animals living at Zoo Atlanta.
Those animals represent more than 220 different species from around the globe, each with their own unique nutritional needs. Mimicking their natural diets in an Atlanta kitchen takes creativity. Equally notable is ensuring the proper nutritional balance has been achieved through animal observation and monitoring.
Nutrition sleuths
Table of Contents
A few years ago, zookeepers noticed somthing odd about a young golden-breasted starling. The bird’s legs were developing an abnormal shape.
Dr. Sam Rivera, vice president of animal health at Zoo Atlanta, took the bird for X-rays and resolute it was suffering from weakened bones. He instructed the zoo’s nutrition kitchen to add vitamin D and calcium supplements to the bird’s daily diet. Within a few weeks, the bird’s legs began to adjust properly.
On another occasion, zookeepers noticed a whole herd of goats rapidly losing weight.”One challenge with nutritional deficiencies or nutrient imbalances is that it can affect entire populations if the same diet is fed to a group, like a flock of birds or a gorilla family group,” said Rivera.
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Behind the scenes
On each counter in the nutrition kitchen, calendars and recipes Rivera helped formulate are found inside binders to guide the nutrition technicians in their daily food prep.On Sundays, the giraffes get a case of romaine in their morning delivery, while on Tuesdays, the reptile house gets a box of oyster mushrooms and reptile salad consisting of carrots, yellow squash, zucchini and other veggies.
Not much cooking happens in the kitchen. An occasional sweet potato is boiled to make it softer for geriatric animals. Or some hard animal biscuits may be ground down and baked into a soft cake. But most of the food is served raw or frozen.
The walk-in freezer is the dead giveaway that the kitchen is no ordinary kitchen. Racks of frozen rodents are inside, labeled with cheeky names: “colossal rats,” “rat pups,” “fuzzies” (grown mice), “hoppers” (small mice) and “pinkies” (tiny mice). Whole fish are in the back.
!A “colossal rat” is seen in an animal food freezer at Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.comAn entire wall is devoted to shelving products that can definitely help trick animals into taking medication. just as one might hide a pill in peanut butter for their dog, Rivera uses peanut butter for the orangutans. Prunes, honey, dried figs, molasses, golden raisins and even baby food are found in this section.
Outside behind the kitchen, near the loading docks, Daujotas frequents one more room: the refrigerated storage room for bamboo. Before moving into the kitchen a few years ago, Daujotas was employed as a bamboo hunter.
Bamboo hunters are staffed by Zoo Atlanta specifically to harvest bamboo stalks within a 50-mile radius of the zoo. The public can donate bamboo from their property by filling out an online form at zooatlanta.org. When the bamboo hunters get a lead,they investigate,determining if the bamboo is an appropriate varietal and unsullied by pollutants or proximity to major thoroughfares. If the bamboo is suitable, the hunters harvest it.
Back when Zoo Atlanta housed four giant pandas from China, the bamboo hunters were even more critical to supplying the zoo’s needs. Though ther is now a reduced need, many animals still feed on bamboo. The elephants, for example, receive five bundles of bamboo multiple times a week.es an entire orange into Kelly’s mouth. She devours it in one bite.
[Image of Zookeeper Kirby Miller feeding African savanna elephant Kelly at Zoo Atlanta. Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com]
When her bath is over, it’s time for Kelly to join her herd in the outdoor Savannah viewing area, where the zoo nutrition team has prepared some bundles of browse. Browse is a combination of leaves, branches, twigs and bark – the type of vegetation an animal might eat as they browse a forest.
“(Browse) is harder for us to provide in a nutrition kitchen,” said Rivera. “So we have a team.”
Like the bamboo hunters, the browse team goes out early in the morning, driving around Atlanta to collect leaves and limbs. Zoo Atlanta has a partnership with Georgia Power so that when trees are cut down to clear power lines,Zoo Atlanta can collect the browse for animals.
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The Art and Science of Zoo Animal Nutrition at Zoo Atlanta
Providing a balanced and enriching diet for the diverse animal population at Zoo Atlanta is a complex undertaking, demanding both creativity and meticulous planning.It goes far beyond simply offering food; it’s a science focused on replicating natural foraging behaviors and ensuring optimal health.
The nutrition team at Zoo Atlanta doesn’t rely on pre-packaged animal feed alone. Instead, they prioritize a fresh food diet, incorporating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients. This approach aims to stimulate the animals both mentally and physically,mirroring the challenges they would face in the wild when searching for sustenance.
Preparing these specialized diets requires significant logistical coordination. The team carefully sources produce,frequently enough selecting items based on seasonality and nutritional value. They then meticulously chop,mix,and portion the food,tailoring each meal to the specific needs of individual species – and even individual animals. Dietary requirements vary dramatically,from the leafy greens favored by gorillas to the specialized browse needed by giraffes.
Beyond the daily menu, the nutrition team also focuses on enrichment. This involves presenting food in innovative ways, such as hiding it within puzzle feeders or freezing it into ice blocks, encouraging animals to problem-solve and engage in natural behaviors. This not only prevents boredom but also promotes physical activity and cognitive stimulation.
Maintaining vigilance is crucial. The team constantly monitors each animal’s food intake, body condition, and overall health, adjusting diets as needed to address changing needs or potential health concerns.This proactive approach ensures that every resident of Zoo atlanta receives the nutrition necessary to thrive.
Feeding the Frontier: A Day in the Life of Staff Feeding 1,300 Animals
ensuring over 1,300 animals receive their daily nourishment is a monumental task,a carefully orchestrated ballet of logistics,animal welfare,and dedicated staff.This behind-the-scenes look delves into the intricate world of feeding a large,diverse animal population,highlighting the challenges,triumphs,and the essential role played by the often-unsung heroes of animal care. from selecting the perfect diet to the precision of portion control, every step is crucial in maintaining the health and happiness of these diverse creatures.
The Scale of the Operation: More Than Just food
Feeding 1,300 animals isn’t simply about doling out kibble. It involves understanding the unique dietary needs of each species, from the smallest rodent to the largest ungulate. This requires specialized knowledge of nutrition, an understanding of individual animal health, and a robust system for procurement, storage, and distribution of food.
Dietary Diversity: The population might include predatory cats requiring high-protein diets, herbivores needing specific fiber content, omnivores with varied needs, and perhaps even specialized diets for animals with medical conditions.
Procurement Puzzle: Sourcing vast quantities of high-quality feed, supplements, and specialized diets is a continuous challenge. This involves building strong relationships with suppliers and ensuring consistent quality and availability.
* Storage Solutions: Proper storage is paramount to prevent spoilage, contamination, and pest infestation. This includes refrigerated units for perishables, airtight containers for dry goods, and secure areas for sensitive or regulated items.