Faecal Analysis as an Indicator of the Dietary Quality Utilised by Free-Roaming Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) in the Free State Province, South Africa

Abstract

Accurate monitoring of wildlife diets and nutrient requirements is needed for effective biodiversity conservation. This also rings true for the world's tallest ruminant, the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). The complexity of its anatomy is also reflected in its intricate ruminant, digestive properties. Being selective browsers, giraffes have evolved unique ways to effectively maximise the absorption of dietary nutrients and thereby maintain their critical energy balance. Using non-invasive faecal collections, the current study analysed 10 chemical parameters (dry matter, organic matter, ash, crude protein [CP_f], crude fat, gross energy, neutral-detergent fibre, acid-detergent fibre [ADF_fOM], acid-detergent lignin [ADL_fOM], and phosphorous) by chemical analyses, commonly used in domestic livestock health and nutrition monitoring. Fresh giraffe faecal samples were collected from six different locations, with different feeding practices, across different seasons from 2021 to 2023 in the Free State Province, South Africa. Results indicate that % CP_f, % ADF_fOM, and % ADL_fOM may successfully and significantly differentiate between different feeding practices and between seasons from faeces collected from giraffe populations in the Free State Province and could be used conjunctive with each other to determine diet quality and nutrient value.