Osteophagia in Masai Giraffe
Two observations of giraffe seen with bones in their mouths in Nairobi National Park by John Wyatt in 1969.
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Two observations of giraffe seen with bones in their mouths in Nairobi National Park by John Wyatt in 1969.
The giraffe of Nairobi National Park, Kenya have been studied for one year. Each animal seen has been photographed from the left side and the pattern on the neck used to recognize each individual. While the pattern may become darker with age, it does not significantly change in detail even over many years. At present 65 adult male, 72 adult female and 30 immature giraffe can be recognized. Movements of individuals are described as well as associations with other individuals.
61.5 per cent of the 117 young giraffes born in captivity were males. A similar preponderance of males has been observed among adult giraffes in Transvaal and in Amboseli National Reserve, but not in Nairobi National Park where 60.7 per cent of the adults were females. The possible causes of such abnormal sex ratios are discussed. (Article is in French)
The dynamics of the giraffe population of the Serengeti were quantified to ascertain the response of the population to the increasing biomass of the available browse resource. Aerial counts conducted in 1971 and 1976 together with analyses of fecundity and mortality data suggest a rate of population increase of some 5–6% per annum. Compared with the dynamics of a stable giraffe population in Nairobi National Park, the sub-adult components of the Serengeti regional populations are larger and juvenile growth rates
During a 3-year study in Nairobi National Park, 1965–1968, 250 giraffe were identified by their neck markings. The herd structure of these animals was studied, including the relationships between particular individuals. Population information collected included the times of calving, the growth and longevity of giraffe, their reproductive potential, the age structure of the population and its density. Immigration, emigration and home range studies were completed with the help of radio telemetry equipment. The effect of giraffe on the vegetation and