Table 4.
Chemical composition of primary natural forages consumed by Asian elephants during late lactation near Katha, Myanmar. Data presented on a dry matter basis.
| Species | CP, % | CP, % | NDF, % | NDF, % | ADF, % | ADF, % | Ash, % | Ash, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Dry | Wet | Dry | Wet | Dry | Wet | Dry | Wet |
| Wabo-war Dendrocalamus brandisii |
12.70 | 16.72 | 66.92 | 67.60 | 41.21 | 37.88 | 11.55 | 10.60 |
| Tin-war Cephalostachum pergracile |
8.82 | 11.26 | 59.49 | 67.18 | 46.55 | 39.45 | 21.65 | 16.80 |
| Wa-phyu-war Dendrocalamus membranaceus |
10.95 | 19.39 | 58.56 | 68.76 | 40.31 | 30.36 | 16.76 | 10.16 |
| Tama-saing Thysanolaena maxima |
7.75 | 13.08 | 74.67 | 72.08 | 45.80 | 38.60 | 10.36 | 11.15 |
| Khway-ei-poke-nwel Sarcococca pruniformis |
8.61 | 10.61 | 46.92 | 52.69 | 38.47 | 45.86 | 10.50 | 14.23 |
| Ka-pyin-nwel Quercus fenestrate |
6.03 | 13.18 | 61.35 | 32.27 | 51.21 | 26.60 | 6.14 | 8.67 |
| Dant-kywe Cassia sophera |
18.59 | 22.39 | 37.59 | 28.60 | 34.60 | 19.51 | 15.32 | 13.79 |
| Kaung-si-nwel | 12.06 | 25.34 | 38.50 | 43.03 | 33.48 | 42.36 | 15.67 | 17.09 |
| Pan-zauk-htoe | 16.21 | 13.03 | 34.79 | 40.29 | 34.94 | 35.65 | 19.90 | 23.26 |
| Kha-oung Ficus hispida |
8.35 | 13.54 | 40.74 | 40.80 | 37.75 | 32.43 | 21.53 | 20.05 |
| Mean | ** 11.01 | 15.86 | 51.95 | 51.33 | 40.43 | 34.87 | 14.94 | 14.58 |
| ±SD | 3.97 | 4.97 | 13.99 | 16.44 | 5.84 | 7.83 | 5.23 | 4.71 |
** Paired seasonal comparison significantly different p < 0.01; Season: Dry: December 2016 through February 2017; Wet: July through September 2016; CP: crude protein, NDF: neutral detergent fiber, ADF: acid detergent fiber.