First Vasectomy Procedure Successfully Performed on a Southern African Male Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa)

This study reports the first successful vasectomy on a southern African male giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa). The goal of the procedure was to create a teaser male for reproductive studies. Following chemical immobilization using a combination of medetomidine and thiafentanil, the giraffe underwent surgery with local anesthesia. The vas deferens were bilaterally located, dissected, and transected. Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of the vas deferens tissue. Five weeks post-vasectomy, the giraffe was immobilized again for semen collection, confirming infertility. The giraffe was then used to confirm oestrus in synchronized females. Pre- and post-vasectomy testosterone levels validated the procedure's effectiveness, confirming no change in the giraffe's normal behavior or attractiveness to females. The outcome was successful, with the giraffe rendered infertile post-vasectomy.