Weight and body condition relationship in captive giraffe

Bc. Barbora Žilková

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This master’s thesis deals with weight and body condition (BCS) relationship in captive giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). BCS is a system for assessing the body condition, the amount of stored fat and muscles in animals. By comparing the real weight data and BCS of giraffe we aim to better understand the fluctuations of giraffe weights and to test the reliability of BCS use to monitor changes in giraffe condition. The aim of this thesis was to find out the relationship between BCS and real weight of the animal and to record changes that affect it. To capture this relationship we tried to find a suitable condition index that would be able to describe it. This condition index was designed using the first tested factors that had the greatest effect on the weight and body condition of individuals. During the two years from January 2018 to January 2020, the weight was measured together with the recording of BCS and with other factors (sex, season, age category-age, taxon, height, contraception, parity, lactation). The mean weights of males, females and pregnant females were 801.51 ± 64.38 kg, 746.84 ± 9.6 kg and 908.18 ± 19.17 kg. The mean BCS of males, females and pregnant females were 4.8 ± 0.17, 4.6 ± 0.05 and 4.3 ± 0.26. Data were processed from 35 individuals in the R software for statistical computing. Sex, age and height most affected weight and BCS. Of the observed condition indices, BMI (weight/height²) (P= ˂ 0.001) was most significant in relation to BCS. When using this condition index, the mentioned factors must be taken into account (sex, age and height) of the animal. We have found that the relationship between weight and BCS is more complex. The juveniles with the lowest weight and height had the best body condition. The weight and height increased with increasing age, but this increasing weight trend stopped and began to decline at a certain age (around 20 years) in adults. Body condition deteriorated with increasing age. The results of this study could contribute to improving the quality of life of giraffe in captivity. The weight of the giraffe does not have to correspond to actual body condition, the animal's body condition can deteriorate without losing weight (see lactating females). Zoos that regularly weigh their giraffe should also do BCS regularly. Even those zoos that do not weigh their giraffe can use a condition index (BMI) to estimate weight, knowing the height and BCS of an individual.

Keywords

weight, condition indices, captivity, husbandry, Giraffa camelopardalis, BCS, conservation

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 15. 5. 2020

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: doc. Ing. Karolína Brandlová, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / Wildlife Management in the Tropics and Subtropics