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Consistency of captive giraffe behavior under two different management regimes
1Department of Psychology, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. mbashaw@alumni.duke.edu
Zoo Biology
|August 19, 2010
Summary
Giraffe behavior, including activity and social interactions, remains consistent across different zoo environments. This suggests that studies on captive giraffe social behavior are generalizable to various captive conditions.
Area of Science:
- Ethology
- Animal Behavior
- Comparative Psychology
Background:
- Long-term animal behavior studies at single sites raise questions about environmental limitations.
- Generalizing behavioral findings requires identifying consistent behaviors across diverse environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare activity budgets and social behavior of captive giraffes in different zoo settings.
- To extend previous research on giraffe social behavior and activity patterns.
Main Methods:
- Observation of an all-female giraffe group at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore (MZiB).
- Comparison of MZiB data with previously published data from a breeding group at The San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park (SDZWAP).
- Analysis of morning activity budgets and social interaction maintenance.
Main Results:
- Morning activity budgets and social relationship maintenance were consistent between MZiB and SDZWAP giraffe groups.
- Female giraffes at MZiB exhibited more frequent interactions than at SDZWAP.
- The predictability of social relationship partners differed between the two zoo environments.
Conclusions:
- Captive giraffe consistently maintain social relationships across different zoo conditions.
- Activity budgets and social behavior studies in captive giraffes are generalizable across various captive environments.
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