The genetic status of the introduced giraffe population in Central South Africa
There has been no reliable historical evidence of giraffe occurring naturally in the Free State Province in Central South Africa (Dagg 1962; Deacon & Parker 2016; Sydney 1965). Although Lynch (1983) mentioned the possibility of the natural distribution of giraffe in the East and Western Free State, there is no concrete evidence that giraffe existed […]
An Assessment of Forage Selection by Giraffe Introduced into Umfurudzi Park, Northern Zimbabwe
Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is one of the flagship herbivore species in the savanna ecosystem and is of high conservation value. Management of the species under diversified ecosystems, particularly, their introduction in new ecosystems is of great concern, given that limited information is available of how the species acclimatizes to new ecosystems and which forage species […]
Matrilineal population structure and distribution of the Angolan giraffe the Namib desert and beyond
The distribution maps of giraffe (Giraffa) subspecies in southern Africa are based on historical assumptions, yet some populations have likely been misidentified, hindering effective conservation efforts. Particularly, the populations in Zimbabwe are poorly studied, and translocations, such as the 1991 movement of giraffe from Namibia’s Etosha National Park to mitigate the human-induced decline of Namibia’s […]
Giraffe translocation population viability analysis
Most populations of giraffes have declined in recent decades, leading to the recent IUCN decision to upgrade the species to Vulnerable status, and some subspecies to Endangered. Translocations have been used as a conservation tool to re-introduce giraffes to previously occupied areas or establish new populations, but guidelines for founding populations are lacking. To provide […]
Conservation conundrum: Endangered predators eating endangered prey
As populations of wildlife dwindle in number, and as ecosystems suitable for animals disappear, conservation conundrums emerge that have no easy solutions. One such issue involves predators and prey. What can be done when an endangered species of predators might be hastening the extinction of an endangered species of prey by including it in their […]
Dietary preference of the Rothschild’s Giraffes (Giraffa Camelopardalis Rothschildii) translocated to Ruma National park, Kenya
Without monitoring of animal behavior and the productivity of their environment, the success of a translocation cannot be properly ascertained, nor can important lessons be learned. This study investigated habitat utilization of the translocated Rothschild’s giraffes in Ruma National Park. Feeding giraffes were observed with an 8×40 pair of binoculars and plants eaten were collected, […]
The diet and ecological role of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) introduced to the Eastern Cape, South Africa
With an increase in the popularity of wildlife ranching in southern Africa has come the introduction of non-native (extralimital) mammalian herbivores. Financial gain has arguably been at the forefront of these introductions, with little or no assessment of the ecological consequences. The diet of three populations of introduced giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis was assessed by direct […]
The effect of translocation on the Rothschild’s giraffes
In July 1977, twenty one Rothschild’s giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi LYDEKKER) were trans-located by the Kenya Game Department from Lewa Downs Farm, Soy to Nakuru National Park. The objective of the translocation was to accord the giraffes and opportunity to establish themselves in a protected environment. The research described in this thesis was carried out […]