Influence of ration composition on nutritive and digestive variables in captive giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) indicating the appropriateness of feeding practice

Abstract

The nutrition of captive giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), a browsing ruminant, is challenging because browse availability is limited in zoos and rations need to be composed of compensatory feeds. In this study, ration composition for giraffes in 12 German zoos was documented and linked to animal variables that indicate suitability of nutrition. Rations differed in proportion of ration items and chemical composition resulting in various grades of accordance with feeding recommendations. An estimated daily metabolisable energy (ME) intake (MEI; mean ± SD) of 0.61 MJ ME/kg body weight (BW; ±0.1) was sufficient to cover estimated energy requirements. Daily dry matter (DM) intake (DMI) was 61 g DM/kg BW (±10) and correlated negatively to dietary ME content (p = .009; r = -.596). Apparently, feed intake was regulated by energetic satiety and not by physical properties of forage. A negative correlation between produce proportion and DMI (p = .002; r = -.676) led to the assumption of a low ruminal pH in giraffes fed high proportions of produce. Increasing dietary forage proportions led to an increasing duration of feed intake (p = .045; r = .477) and decreasing occurrence of oral stereotypies (p = .047; r = -.474). The weighted average faecal particle size was larger than reported for free-ranging giraffes, but no relation to ration characteristics among the facilities existed. The abrasiveness of rations was not excessive, as contents of silicate in faeces were similar to values from the wild. Body condition was generally acceptable, but there was no evident relation to ration characteristics. The capacity to self-regulate DM and ME intakes with lucerne hay may work at higher forage proportions than often assumed for captive giraffes. Rations with less energetic density can result in a greater DMI, including maximisation of forage intake and reduction of oral stereotypies.

What’s new from the zoo? An analysis of ten years of zoo-themed research output

“…Secondly that housing and husbandry are historically based on anecdote or tradition. A scientific approach to inform husbandry is noticeable in our dataset, with housing style (Rowden and Rose, 2016), daily husbandry regimes , nutrition (Gussek et al, 2018), enrichment practices (Costa et al, 2018), breeding recommendations (Asa et al, 2011) and animal health measures (Greenwell and Montrose, 2017) being based on evidence gathered to determine optimal care. The asking of numerous questions (Table S4) with an amphibian model shows that zoo researchers are considering key knowledge gaps at different taxonomic levels when constructing an experimental design.…”

Toetsingskader domesticatie : dertig zoogdiersoorten beoordeeld

“…Giraffes worden vanaf de 19 e eeuw gehouden in dierentuinen (Bashaw 2011;Bashaw et al 2001;Gussek et al 2018;Siciliano-Martina and Martina 2018). Uit een recente inventarisatie (3 september 2019) via ZIMS blijkt dat er in 382 dierentuinen in totaal 1974 giraffes worden gehouden.…”

“…De giraffes in dierentuinen worden gehouden in door de mens gecreëerde en gecontroleerde omstandigheden, maar giraffes zijn lastig te houden in gevangenschap vanwege hun dieet (Hofmann and Matern 1988;Bashaw et al 2001;Baxter en Plowman 2001;Gussek et al 2018;Kaiser et al 2009) De omstandigheden waarin ijsberen worden gehouden in dierentuinen worden door de mens gecreëerd en gecontroleerd, maar zijn tot op heden veelal onvoldoende geschikt, hetgeen zich uit in stereotiep gedrag zoals ijsberen (pacing) en circulair zwemgedrag (Kelly et al 2015;Ross 2006;Shepherdson et al 2013). Getracht wordt om de houderij omstandigheden in dierentuinen op een zo hoog mogelijk niveau te krijgen middels richtlijnen (Ursid Husbandry Manual 2007; Polar Bear Animal Care Manual 2009) waarbij de maatregelen enig succes lijken te hebben (Meyerson et al 2017).…”

The influence of feeding opportunities of six zoohoused Giraffa camelopardalis rothschild

“…In a study including 12 German zoos, the type of forage was shown to influence the giraffe behaviour (Gussek et al, 2017a). A less energy-rich diet led to a higher level of foraging along with a decrease in oral stereotypy (Gussek et al, 2017a).…”

“…In a study including 12 German zoos, the type of forage was shown to influence the giraffe behaviour (Gussek et al, 2017a). A less energy-rich diet led to a higher level of foraging along with a decrease in oral stereotypy (Gussek et al, 2017a). This was further investigated by Monson et al (2018) in which an experimental feed was given to six giraffes in Cleveland Metropark Zoo.…”