The South African giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa: a conservation success story
Across Africa the majority of giraffe species and subspecies are in decline, whereas the South African giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa remains numerous and widespread throughout southern Africa. By 2013 the number of giraffes in South Africa’s Kruger National Park had increased by c. 150% compared to 1979 estimates. An even greater increase occurred on many […]
Diagnosis and treatment of a fractured third phalanx in a Masai giraffe (Giraffe camelopardalis tippelskirchi)
A 10 yr old male Masai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) presented with acute right forelimb lameness. Radiographs revealed a fracture of the medial claw of the distal phalanx penetrating into the distal interphalangeal joint. The giraffe was sedated while it was standing in a chute, and a wooden “hoof block” was applied to the lateral […]
National Red Listing Beyond the 2010 Target
Following creation of the 2010 Biodiversity Target under the Convention on Biological Diversity and adoption of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, information on status and trends of biodiversity at the national level has become increasingly important to both science and policy. National red lists (NRLs) of threatened species may provide suitable data for reporting […]
Energy and Fibre Intake in a Group of Captive Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) Offered Increasing Amounts of Browse
We investigated the effect of diet on intake of energy and fibre in a group of three captive adult giraffe by weighing offered diet items and leftovers for 7 days after an adaptation period of 7 days. Digestion coefficients were calculated using, as internal marker, the acid detergent lignin content of a faecal sample pooled […]
African lion (Panthera leo) behavior, monitoring, and survival in human-dominated landscapes
Chapter 1, “Demography of a persecuted African lion population,” investigates the basic demographic characteristics of a lion population on human and livestock dominated lands where unregulated, retaliatory hunting of both sexes and all ages had occurred for centuries. I also examine the individual characteristics of stock-raiding lions. Chapter 2, “Participatory monitoring of an elusive carnivore […]
Do you have friends in high places? Social attachment in captive giraffe
As part of an on-going study, using the giraffe herd at Marwell Wildlife, measurement and assessment of partner-preference and social interaction between male and female giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) has been undertaken across a three year period. The idea behind this study hopes to provide evidence for the ‘importance’ of social bonding to a captive mammal […]
Developments to the Nutrition of Captive Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
The correct feeding of captive giraffe appears to be particularly problematic and traditionally, they have been termed as one of the most difficult ruminants to cater for (nutritionally) in the zoo. Recent research has demonstrated that some of the prevailing arguments underpinning dietary formulation to be incorrect. The most notable of these being the apparent […]
Influence of Diet Transition on Serum Calcium and Phosphorous and Fatty Acids in Zoo Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
In response to new recommendations for feeding giraffe in zoos, giraffe (n = 6) were transitioned from a typical hoofstock diet to diets containing reduced starch, protein, Ca and P and added n3 fatty acids. This diet was fed as a 50:50 mix with alfalfa and grass hay. Over the next 4 years, serum Ca, […]
Failure of Passive Transfer and Leukopenia in five Reticulated giraffe calves (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata)
An abstract on the diagnosis and treatment of five giraffe calves that each had failure of passive transfer.
Insufficient Colostrum Ingestion is a Risk Factor for Polyarthritis and/or Phlegmon in Hand-Reared Reticulated Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata): 7 Cases (2003–2012)
Seven reticulated giraffes were hand-reared at Nogeyama Zoological Gardens, because the dam had agalactia. Six of the 7 calves exhibited polyarthritis and/or phlegmon in the lower legs. However, the cause of the disorder was unclear. The present study reviewed the clinical records of the 7 giraffes, including the type and amount of colostrum ingested during […]