The influence of feeding opportunities of six zoohoused Giraffa camelopardalis rothschild: The influence of feeding opportunities
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2022 |
Authors: |
Esther Magdalene Ellersgaard Enevoldsen, Katrine Møller-Lassesen, Ninna Larsen, Oliver Emil Søndergård Gert, Rune Holmegaard, Stine Ellegård Jensen, Cino Pertoldi, Trine Hammer Jensen, Aage Kristian Olsen Alstrup, K Johansen |
Publication/Journal: |
Genetics and Biodiversity Journal |
Keywords: |
animal welfare, enrichment, ethology, feeding, giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi, noctournal behavior, ruminants, stereotypical behavior, zoo |
ISBN: |
2588-185X |
Abstract:
Previous studies on captive giraffes have shown that an increase in foraging opportunities leads to reduced abnormal behaviour. This study evaluates the nocturnal behaviours of six captive giraffes, housed in Aalborg Zoo (N: 57.04°, E: 9.90°). The herd consists of one male giraffe (age 8), one male calf (age 1 ½), two femelle giraffe (age 7; 20) and two female calves (age 8 months; 2 years). The observations lasted eight nights and compared two observation periods (October and November) with different compositions of branches. The giraffes spent approximately 30% of their nocturnal activity on feeding behaviour. An increase in feeding behaviour was correlated with a decrease in oral stereotypy. It was observed that the type of branches influenced time spent on browsing as it was consumed at different rates. Further studies are required to clarify questions left in this study, such as studies with more observation days and known types of branches.