Precision, accuracy, and costs of survey methods for giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis
Giraffes Giraffa camelopardalis are megafaunal browsers and keystone species in African savanna ecosystems. Range-wide population declines are suspected, but robust data are lacking. Tanzania holds the largest population of giraffe of any range state, and aerial surveys constitute most of Tanzania’s giraffe population monitoring data, but their accuracy has not yet been assessed. An IUCN […]
Correlates of home range sizes of giraffes, Giraffa camelopardalis
Abiotic, biotic and human influences are factors that can affect animal home ranges. We calculated home range sizes of adult giraffes in the Tarangire-Manyara region of northern Tanzania (N ¼ 132 giraffes with data collected over 6 years), and investigated correlations between home range sizes and environmental and anthropogenic factors (for a subset of N […]
Chemical immobilisation of giraffe to facilitate short procedures
Objective: To describe the chemical immobilisation of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) for short procedures at Taronga Zoo. Design: A clinical report. Animals: Five giraffe. Procedure: The weight of each animal was determined and pre-immobilisation fasting, careful preparation of the site, and planning were carried out prior to each procedure. Etorphine and acetylpromazine were used as the […]
Training giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) for front foot radiographs and hoof care
For a large herd of reticulated giraffes, a mainly operant-based training program was created for front foot radiographs and hoof trims in an effort to diagnose and better manage lameness. Behaviors were shaped in a restricted contact set-up, using a positive reinforcement procedure to teach a series of mastered cued behaviors. This training was used […]
Hand-rearing Rothschild or Baringo giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi calves at Bioparc Valencia, Spain, and Leipzig Zoo, Germany
Hand-rearing giraffe calves is a challenging, time-consuming and labour-intensive process. There appears to be high individual variability among different calves. Different feeding schedules and milk substitutes have been used and are discussed. The use of whole cow’s milk is recommended and can be mixed with different supplements or calf milk replacers. The authors recommend weaning […]
The art and science of giraffe (Giraffa camilopardalis) immobilization/anesthesia
The anesthesia/immobilization of giraffe is a unique specialty due to a combination of problems usually encountered in the procedure resulting in mortality or morbidity to the patient. This paper presents a historical description of the early drugs and methods and documents of the advances made in giraffe anesthesia during the last three decades. Also included […]
Detomidine and butorphanol for standing sedation in a range of zoo-kept ungulate species
General anesthesia poses risks for larger zoo species, like cardiorespiratory depression, myopathy, and hyperthermia. In ruminants, ruminal bloat and regurgitation of rumen contents with potential aspiration pneumonia are added risks. Thus, the use of sedation to perform minor procedures is justified in zoo animals. A combination of detomidine and butorphanol has been routinely used in […]
Giraffe cardiovascular physiology: Implications for anethesia
An abstract for a talk given on giraffe cardiovascular physiology through utilizing both anesthatized giraffes and freshly dead giraffes.
A simple, unique field ventilator for large ungulates: Another use for your leaf blower
The abstract for a talk given on the use of a gas or electrical powered leaf blower as an effective ventilator for giraffe anesthesia in the field.
Thirty immobilizations of captive giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) using a combination of medetomidine and ketamine
Immobilization of giraffe and the associated risks have been previously described in the literature.1,2,5 The use of medetomidine and ketamine for immobilization of free-ranging giraffe has also been described.3 This report summarizes the immobilization of captive giraffe using this same drug combination.