Preliminary Report on Forage Availability and Resource Use by Reticulated Giraffe at Mugie Conservancy, Laikipia, Kenya
Main Findings To compare resource availability and animal diets, we conducted vegetation surveys and collected giraffe dung samples for diet analyses on the east and west sides of primary road C77 at Mugie Conservancy. The availability of tree resources differed on the east versus west sides of C77, where the more abundant species that we […]
Interspecific and temporal variation of condensed tannins and cyanide concentrations in potential dietary sources of extralimital giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) in the Karoo
During 2016 and 2018 four giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) mortalities occurred in the Karoo potentially caused by acute hydrogen cyanide poisoning. Plants have various defence mechanisms to protect themselves against herbivory, including the production of secondary metabolites such as condensed tannins and hydrogen cyanide. This study quantified condensed tannin and hydrogen cyanide production in selected Karoo […]
Clinical conditions found radiographically in the front feet of Reticulated giraffe (Giraffe Camelopardalis reticulata) in a single zoo
Front foot radiographs from 22 giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) at one zoo were analyzed to better understand causes of lameness in this giraffe population. The herd had a history of front hoof overgrowth and intermittent lameness. Radiographic findings included distal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis (OA), distal phalangeal bone (P3) osteitis, P3 fractures, P3 rotation, and sesamoid […]
Giraffe restraint, habituation, and desensitization at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
The giraffe restraint device manufactured at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has the capability to fully support the weight of an immobilized adult giraffe in an upright posture and allow physical restraint of giraffe. The unit has been used for either chemical or physical restraint 74 times in 22 months, on seven different adult giraffe, without […]
Digestive tract pathology of captive giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis). A unifying hypothesis
Captive giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis) are affected by four major pathological conditions linked to their nutrition: (1) the so-called “peracute mortality syndrome” with complete absence and serious atrophy of body fat stores, (2) phytobezoars, i.e. Fibrous conglomerates of plant material, in the omasum and abomasums (3) rumen acidosis or (4) partial loss of dorsal ruminal papillation. […]
Serous fat atrophy and other nutrition-related health problems in captive giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) – An evaluation of 83 necropsy reports
Historically, the nutrition of captive giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) has been regarded as difficult, and several different disease complexes suspected to be at least partially of dietary aetiology have been observed in this species (Clauss et al., 2002a). From the literature, it seems that the condition of serous fat atrophy (SAF) at necropsy is the most […]
A Comparison of Husbandry, Feed Intake and Cause of Death of Captive Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) in the United Kingdom
Giraffe are known to be subject to many behavioural abnormalities in captivity that are linked with inferior nutrition and a lack of stimulus to travel and browse (Baxter & Plowman, 2001). A combination of hay with compounded feeds does not adequately replicate the wild diet (Baxter & Plowman, 2001). As a consequence of a substandard […]
Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in a Rothschild’s giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi)
A 3-yr-old male Rothschild’s giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) presented for acute swelling caudomedial to the left parietal horn. Following initial diagnostics and supportive treatment, the mass was surgically resected and intralesional chemotherapy was administered. Despite treatment, the giraffe’s condition worsened and euthanasia was performed. Gross necropsy revealed neoplastic invasion and destruction of underlying parietal bone, […]
The opportunistic Sarcoptes scabiei: A new episode from giraffe in the drought-suffering Kenya
The ubiquitous Sarcoptes mite is unexplainable emerging and re-emerging parasite, threatening biodiversity and human health. When a new outbreak occurs, it is not clear if it is a genuine emergence resulting from a new incidence or apparent emergence resulting from increased detection. In this paper we report, for the first time to our knowledge, an […]
Correlates of survival rates for 10 African ungulate populations: density, rainfall and predation
1. Through reconciling census totals with population structure, annual survival rates were estimated for the juvenile, yearling and adult stages of 10 ungulate species over 14 years or longer in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. During this period four species maintained high abundance levels, while six species declined progressively in abundance. 2. Multiple regression models […]