Diet selection concerning browse availability of giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) was studied over 15 months in an arid environment in South Africa. A global positioning system collar was fitted to a giraffe individual to assess the specific areas, consisting of different vegetation types, that the population utilised during different seasons. Results are provided on diet selection in relation to browse availability between seasons and vegetation types, including tree densities and the amount of the total evapotranspiration tree equivalents. Diet selections of the giraffe population changed in response to the availability of browse material from July to October. The availability of important resource areas had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the spatial ecology, and an increase in home range size was noted. Information that is important for the well-being of giraffes was identified. This included nutritional stress and the limited variety of the most utilised tree species available for browsing, especially during critical dry periods. The results demonstrate the importance of assessment of giraffes’ diet selection in relation to browse availability, especially before introduction to a new area, to limit the lack of population growth and underperformance. This study provides valuable information towards understanding the resources and habitats required for successful giraffe management.

To the modern‐day conservationist, knowledge on giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) movement patterns is crucial for the effective management of this increasingly threatened species. The aim of this study was to determine the seasonal distances travelled by giraffes in a highly seasonal semi‐arid savanna area and to investigate how specific climatic factors influence their spatial distribution. Distributed over the 95,537‐ha reserve, we selected eight adult female giraffes that were equipped with radio transmitter collars using geographical positioning system devices to investigate their movement patterns over a 21‐month period in the Kalahari region of South Africa. Climatic data were collected using three weather stations at different locations in the study area. Giraffes moved significantly longer distances and for longer hours during the cool, dry season compared to other seasons. Both temperature and rainfall had statistically significant effects on distances travelled. The giraffes moved significantly longer distances with higher rainfall and temperature. They also moved significantly further during the middle of the day in all seasons, except winter. The reasons for these movement patterns are discussed with special emphasis on the influence of climatic factors on resource availability in a highly seasonal environment with periods of low resource availability.

The diurnal activity budgets of giraffes were effectively studied from June 2012 until August 2013, in the Kalahari Region of southern Africa. Direct field observations identified how the daily activity budgets varied amongst the different subgroups of giraffes and the effects of seasonal changes and the time of the day. Feeding was the highest‐performed activity whilst non‐feeding activities were, however, also prominent. This study aimed to determine why giraffes are willing to sacrifice time on non‐feeding activities. A deeper look into the social and non‐feeding‐related behaviour of giraffes might prove that giraffes devote significant time to various other activities to improve their health and comfort. It unveils trade‐offs between digestion efficiency and foraging, impacting energy gain. Understanding this balance informs conservation strategies, habitat management and their well‐being. Investigating the motivations behind these behavioural choices unveils adaptive mechanisms, shedding light on the intricate interplay between physiological and ecological needs, ultimately contributing to a holistic comprehension of giraffe's ecological roles and promoting their coexistence with their environment. Such investigations also aid in highlighting why giraffes' social structures should be considered as complex and why further research is needed to better understand these relationships, amongst subspecies.

Background/Objectives: This study provides the first insights to the fecal metabolome of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). By using untargeted metabolomics via gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC/TOF-MS), this study primarily aims to provide results of the impact that external stimuli, such as supplemental feeding (SF) practices, seasonal variation and sex, might have on the fecal metabolome composition of healthy, free-roaming giraffes. Methods: Untargeted GCxGC/TOF-MS analysis was applied to the feces collected from thirteen giraffes (six males and seven females) from six different locations within the central Free State Province of South Africa over a period of two years. Statistical analysis of the generated data was used to identify the metabolites that were significantly different between the giraffes located in environments that provided SF and others where the giraffes only fed on the natural available vegetation. The same metabolomics analysis was used to investigate metabolite concentrations that were significantly different between the wet and dry seasons for a single giraffe male provided with SF over the two-year period, as well as for age and sex differences. Results: A total of 2042 features were detected from 26 giraffe fecal samples. Clear variations between fecal metabolome profiles were confirmed, with higher levels of amino acid-related and carbohydrate-related metabolites for giraffes receiving SF. In addition, a separation between the obtained profiles of samples collected from a single adult male giraffe during the wet and dry seasons was identified. Differences, such as higher levels of carbohydrate-related metabolites and organic compounds during the wet season were noted. Distinct variations in profiles were also identified for the metabolites from fecal samples collected from the six males and seven females, with higher concentrations in carbohydrate-related metabolites and alkanes for female giraffes comparatively. Conclusions: This is the first study to investigate the composition of the fecal metabolome of free-roaming giraffes, as well as the effects that external factors, such as environmental exposures, feeding practices, seasonal variations, age and sex, have on it. This novel use of fecal metabolomics assists in developing non-invasive techniques to determine giraffe populations’ health that do not require additional stressors such as capture, restraint and blood collection. Ultimately, such non-invasive advances are beneficial towards the conservation of wildlife species on a larger scale.

Anthropogenic noise is an increasingly pervasive environmental stressor for wildlife, yet its behavioral impacts on large mammals remain poorly understood. Across the genus Giraffa, multiple giraffe species face varying degrees of conservation condern under IUCN criteria due to rapid habitat modification and increasing human disturbance, yet the behavioral consequences of anthropogenic noise exposure have not been experimentally tested. Because vigilance is a key anti‐predator response in large herbivores and is highly sensitive to disturbance, we used it as a focal metric to assess giraffe reactions to noise. We conducted multisite playback experiments across three reserves in the Free State Province, South Africa, that differed in human‐exposure levels. Free‐roaming giraffes were presented with three anthropogenic sound stimuli (drone, vehicle, people talking) and a natural control stimulus (ring‐necked dove). Vigilance responses were video‐recorded, quantified, and analyzed using mixed‐effects models. Giraffes at the low‐exposure site showed markedly stronger vigilance responses to anthropogenic than to the natural control, whereas responses at high‐exposure sites were weaker and less differentiated across stimuli. These site‐specific patterns indicate that ecological exposure history modulates giraffe responsiveness to noise. Across the full dataset, anthropogenic sounds consistently elicited stronger vigilance responses than the control stimulus, demonstrating that noise alone, independent of visual cues, can alter natural behavior in free‐roaming giraffes. Collectively, these findings highlight the importance of incorporating acoustic disturbance into environmental impact assessments and protected‐area management. More broadly, the results contribute to understanding how wildlife perceive and respond to human‐generated noise and emphasize the need to integrate soundscape considerations into conservation planning as anthropogenic noise continues to expand across savanna ecosystems.

Foot and hoof problems are one of the most common health concerns for giraffes ( Giraffa camelopardalis ) held in captivity. However, very limited information is available on the foot pathology for free‐roaming giraffes. A free‐roaming giraffe ( Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa ) situated within a small Free State game reserve presented with limping, and provided a unique opportunity to examine and treat the apparent foot injury. After being sedated and restrained, radiographs were taken in the field. A lateral fracture was diagnosed in the proximal pastern bone of the right front leg of the giraffe. Hoof trimming was used in an attempt to provide treatment and relief to the animal's gait and appearance. The occurrence and treatment of this hoof injury could provide insight on similar pathology in zoo environments.