Social preferences of translocated giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) in Senegal: Evidence for friendship among females?
Giraffe social behaviour and relationships are currently in the period of scientific renaissance, changing the former ideas of nonexisting social bonds into understanding of complex social structures of giraffe herds. Different giraffe subspecies have been studied in the wild and only one was subject of detailed study in captivity. Our study focused on the neglected […]
Serial tranquilization of a reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) using xylazine
A 5-yr-old captive-born reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) was tranquilized with i.m.xylazine 34 times in a 39-day period to allow nursing by her calf. Xylazine administered 0.16mg/kg im. provided adequate sedation of the dam without detrimental side effects to the dam or the calf. While the dam was sedated, the calf was able to ingest […]
Multiple anesthetic events in a reticulated giraffe (giraffa camelopardalis)
A 1-mo-old reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) received repeated immobilizations for treatment of a fractured left metatarsus. Etorphine and xylazine or etorphine and iso-flurane adjunct anesthesia were used for immobilization. During immobilizations, pulse oximetry and end tidal CO₂ measurement were made and correlated with arterial blood gas values. Results of observations made during sequential immobilizations suggest […]
Hand rearing of Giraffe Calves at Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysore
Successful hand-rearing of four giraffe calves at Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden, Mysore was done with feeding of calves with cow colostrum (1000ml) on the 1st day every 3 hrs to 3rd day for 3 days and 50% of whole cow milk (500ml) and 50% of colostrum (500ml) next 72 hours. Further 3 days with 75% […]
Feeding behaviour of Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) in Mokolodi Nature Reserve, Botswana
Feeding patterns of twelve giraffes were documented during the wet season from February to April in Mokolodi Nature Reserve in southeastern Botswana. The general aim of the study was to better understand how the giraffes sustain themselves in the Reserve. More specifically the study addresses different aspects of feeding modes and feeding preferences, time allocation […]
Umbilical cord stump retention and age estimation of newborn giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis)
The umbilical cord stump is a conspicuous characteristic used to identify recently born giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) (Foster & Dagg, 1972; Langman, 1977; Leuthold & Leuthold, 1978; Pratt & Anderson, 1979; Pellew, 1981; Dagg & Foster, 1982). However, there is surprising disagreement over the length of time that the umbilical stump remains attached, with reports varying […]
Behavioral Development in Okapis and Giraffes
Observations on the behavioral development of two okapi calves and one giraffe calf were made at Brookfield Zoo. The following behaviors were monitored for 4 to 6 mo after birth: nursing duration and nursing attempts, mother-infant distance, bunting the mother’s udder, lying, moving, maternal grooming, mother and infant autogrooming, object licking, tail chewing, and contact […]