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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 predominant of these problems (Fowler, 1978; Junge and Bradley, 1993; Potter and Clauss, 2005), and a variety of causes has been proposed for this finding

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Factors affecting the hunting success of male and female lions in the Kruger National Park

Long-term continuous observations of hunting lions Panthera leo in the Kruger National Park were used to assess the variables affecting hunting success of male and female lions. Generalized linear models revealed that seven variables had significant independent influences on hunting success, with the most important being the prey species hunted. Three types of variables were recognized: (1) lion related, where type of hunt, wind orientation, and the number of adults hunting; (2) prey related, where prey species and herd size;

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Age proximity influences herd composition in wild giraffe

In many mammalian species, animals form subunits within larger groups that are often associated with kinship and/or age proximity. Kinship mediates fission/fusion social dynamics of giraffe herds, but the role of age proximity has been unexamined. Here, we analyze 34 years of data from a population of Thornicroft’s giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis thornicroftii, living in Zambia in order to assess the extent to which age proximity influences herd composition. We show for the first time that calves born into the same cohort

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Darkening coat colour reveals life history and life expectancy of male Thornicroft’s giraffes

Much of the information available about the life history of the giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis, is derived from captive studies or short-term field studies. The coat colour of male giraffes, especially the blotches, darkens with age, but no studies have systematically mapped the colour transition with chronological age based on long-term data. We examine the value of using darkening coat colour as a biomarker of male age. We analyzed 33 years of data from 36 male Thornicroft’s giraffes, G. c. thornicroftii,

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Respiration and metabolism in the giraffe

Measurements have been made on respiration of three resting unstressed adult giraffe under normal conditions. Tracheal dimensions and body dimensions have also been measured in a large number of giraffe and other mammals. The results indicate that contrary to statements in the literature the giraffe does not have an abnormally large dead space, though the trachea is abnormally long and narrow. The respiratory measurements indicate that the giraffe breathes as predicted by published scaling equations, and at rest shows no

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Prey preferences of the lion (Panthera leo)

Lions Panthera leo are generally thought to prey on medium to large ungulates. Knowledge of which species are actually preferred and which are avoided is lacking, however, as is an understanding of why such preference or avoidance may arise. An analysis of 32 studies over 48 different spatial locations or temporal periods throughout the distribution of the lion shows that it preferentially preys upon species within a weight range of 190–550 kg. The most preferred weight of lion prey is

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The feeding ecology of a selective browser, the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi)

A herbivore can manipulate certain factors of its feeding behavior in order to achieve the metabolic requirements for reproduction. These factors include choice of habitat in which to feed, the selection criteria for choosing food items, and the time allocated to feeding or devoted to other energy-consuming activities. The manipulation of these behavioural factors by giraffe in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania is analysed in relation to the seasonal changes in the quantity and quality of the food resource. The

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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 diet, pathological changes can occur in the animal which may lead to ‘peracute mortality syndrome,’ particularly when combined with additional stresses (Fowler, 1977; Junge &

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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, adjacent horn base, and sinuses, and metastases in the tracheobronchial and mandibular lymph nodes and lung. Histologically, the tumor was composed of packets of anaplastic

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