Kok, Amber de (2024) The social behaviour and social dynamics of male giraffes (Giraffa spec.) in captive bachelor herds. Research Project 2 (major thesis), Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences.
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Abstract
Research on the sociality of giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) has spiked in the last twenty years. However, little is known about the social behaviour of male giraffes in captivity. As there is a surplus of male giraffes in captivity, zoos are recommended to form all-male bachelor herds. Although male giraffes form short-term bachelor herds in the wild, it is still unknown how living in such groups long-term affects giraffe welfare and behaviour. This study aimed to enhance our understanding of the social behaviour and social dynamics of captive male giraffes in bachelor herds. Behaviour observations were carried out on the social behaviour and social proximity of giraffes from two bachelor herds at Safaripark Beekse Bergen (SBB), Hilvarenbeek. The data were compared across groups and individuals, and analysed in relation to age. Additionally, social networks were built to assess social preferences. The giraffes at SBB displayed affiliative, sparring, and sociosexual behaviours. Dominance-related behaviours were rarely observed. The giraffes spent most of their time near conspecifics rather than alone. Social behaviour and social proximity did not differ significantly between groups, but individual differences were found in the amount of sparring behaviour, time spent in close proximity to conspecifics, and time spent alone. Mature giraffes were not less social than adults and subadults; the proportion of affiliative and sociosexual behaviours increased with age, whereas the
| Item Type: | Thesis (Research Project 2 (major thesis)) |
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| Supervisor name: | Zee, E.A. van der and Havekes, R. |
| Degree programme: | Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences |
| Thesis type: | Research Project 2 (major thesis) |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 04 Sep 2024 13:55 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Sep 2024 13:55 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/34187 |
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