Aktivitätsbudgets von Rothschildgiraffen (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi Lydekker, 1903) in der „Zoom Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen“

Abstract

Between 01.06. and 04.09.2014 a breeding group (one breeding male, four adult females, five juvenile males) of Rothschild's Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) was observed in the ZOOM Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen. An activity budget of six selected specimens (the breeding male, three adult females, two juvenile males) considering percentage of time spent for feeding (animals were fed with foliage, branches and alfalfa hay ad libitum), ruminating, locomotion, inter- and intrasexual interactions, performance of stereotypes and vigilance behavior was created. In addition, the activity budget of a cow before and after the birth of her calf was compared. The activity budgets of the selected specimens varied considerably due to their age and sex, but on average animals spent most time with feeding (48%; 78% of this time specimens fed on browse), followed by rumination (24%), locomotion (10%), vigilance (9%), and interactions (6%). Stereotypes were shown only by the cows (pacing in three, tongue playing in two cows). After the birth of her calf, the mother significantly increased her feeding time and locomotory activity, but the time she spent with vigilance behaviors decreased. There was also the tendency to reduce oral stereotypes after birth.