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.