Stereotypic behaviors, particularly oral stereotypy, are common among captive giraffes and are linked to limited feeding opportunities. In the wild, giraffes spend up to 80% of their time foraging, a behavior difficult to replicate in captivity, especially during winter months. This study aimed to assess how differences in feeding material (leafy vs. non-leafy branches) affected nocturnal behavior, feeding activity, and stereotypy in six Rothschild’s giraffes at Aalborg Zoo.
– Subjects: Six giraffes (1 adult male, 1 male calf, 2 adult females, 2 female calves).
– Setting: Indoor enclosure (146 m²) monitored using infrared cameras.
– Design:
– Observation Period 1 (OBS1): Early October, with leafy branches.
– Observation Period 2 (OBS2): Early November, with fewer or no leaves.
– Behaviors Recorded: Browsing, hay feeding, locomotion, standing still, lying down, paradoxical sleep, pacing, oral stereotypy.
– Statistical Analysis: Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman’s rank correlation.
– Feeding Behavior:
– Giraffes spent ~30% of their night-time activity feeding in both periods.
– Browsing increased significantly for five out of six giraffes in OBS2, despite fewer leaves—likely due to differences in branch type and bark consumption.
– Oral Stereotypy:
– Decreased in four out of six giraffes in OBS2.
– Negative correlations were observed between browsing and oral stereotypy in both periods for several individuals.
– Only one giraffe (C, the oldest) showed a significant increase in oral stereotypy.
– Resting Behavior:
– Giraffes spent between 33% to 59% of their night lying down.
– Paradoxical sleep remained consistent (~2.3–2.7%).
– Feeding Equipment Limitations:
– Calves had reduced hay access due to a small rack, possibly contributing to their oral activity after hay depletion.
– Suggested improvements: larger/more hay racks and catch plates for waste reduction.
– A greater availability of feeding material—even if not leafy—can increase browsing time and reduce oral stereotypy, enhancing welfare.
– Type and texture of branches influence consumption rate and oral engagement.
– Longer browsing sessions promote more natural foraging behavior and potentially reduce stress-induced behaviors.
– Further research is needed using controlled branch types, over longer durations and seasonal changes to validate findings.
