Social behaviour in captive reticulated giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata): Analysis of enclosure use and social interactions between giraffes housed at Whipsnade Zoo
Wild giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) herds have been described as random associations of individuals, but recent research has suggested that giraffe do form social bonds and have a complex social structure. The aims of this investigation were to determine whether a group of three captive giraffe associated randomly or patterned their behaviour and proximity in a […]
The social organization of giraffes in Niger
The social organization of the last population of giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) in West Africa was studied between October 1996 and December 1997. Population size increased from 51 to 63 individuals during the study period. Groups were larger during the rainy season (mean group size 9.4) than during the dry season (mean group size 6; U=4131; […]
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 […]
Do you have friends in high places? Social attachment in captive giraffe
As part of an on-going study, using the giraffe herd at Marwell Wildlife, measurement and assessment of partner-preference and social interaction between male and female giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) has been undertaken across a three year period. The idea behind this study hopes to provide evidence for the ‘importance’ of social bonding to a captive mammal […]
Behavioural inventory of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
Background: Numerous factors like continuous habitat reduction or fragmentation for free-ranging giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) as well as e.g. suboptimal housing conditions for animals in captivity might lead to behavioural alterations as part of the overall adaptation process to the changing living conditions. In order to facilitate current and future studies on giraffe behaviour, a comprehensive […]